Ravi Shastri backs Kohli and Rohit, calls them irreplaceable white-ball greats

With growing murmurs from within the dressing room and rising voices outside calling for a full transition to youth, Ravi Shastri has doubled down on the importance of experience, insisting that senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain irreplaceable as India moves toward the 2027 World Cup. He cautioned critics and decision-makers against underestimating the duo, describing them as “white-ball giants” who can shift the course of a tournament the moment they “switch on and hit the right buttons.”

Support for Shastri’s stance also comes from within the current Indian squad. Young pacer Harshit Rana recently highlighted how the presence of Kohli and Rohit transforms the team environment, providing a sense of stability and confidence for emerging players. KL Rahul, too, acknowledged the calming influence they bring to pressure situations, calling their return to the dressing room “hugely reassuring,” especially for younger members of the side learning to navigate high-stakes cricket.

Even as the debate continues over striking the right balance between youth and experience, the message from Shastri and several players remains clear: some qualities, such as composure under pressure, tactical awareness, and big-match temperament, cannot be replicated overnight. As India enters another World Cup cycle, the value of seasoned performers is still seen as crucial to guiding the next generation and delivering results when it matters most.