Former Head Coach Ravi Shastri Feels India Will Be Looking For “Someone In The Top-five Who Can Bowl Two Or Three Overs”

Updated - 23 Mar 2022, 10:55 PM

Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli
Ravi Shastri (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former India National Cricket Team head coach Ravi Shastri has opined that the Indian team management will be looking for “someone in the top-five who can bowl two or three overs.”

Former India head coach Shastri believes that the Indian team management is still searching for an all-rounder, who could bat at No.6 and provide a good balance to the team.

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He added that the availability of extra bowling options takes the pressure off the captain. Shastri also said that he is not at all worried about India’s batting. He said:

“I think the allrounder’s position at No. 6 for sure. Ideally someone in the top-five who can bowl two or three overs. That takes the pressure off the captain. It gives him then six and a half bowlers from whom he can choose. That will be one area I’ll be looking at very closely. And of course the fast bowling and fielding. I’m not really worried about the batting. Batting is there.”

Ravi Shastri, Hardik Pandya

Ravi Shastri opined that the fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya can make a comeback to the Indian team only if he is fit to bowl.

In the top five, there’s a lot of muscle there. If anyone’s occupying the position Nos. 5, 6 onwards, he’ll have to bring that extra department to the game. That is why from Hardik’s point of view, from India’s point of view, from the Gujarat team’s point of view, it’s extremely important that he strings those two or three overs together because if he does and bowls with even limited success, he becomes an automatic choice in the Indian team.”

They’ll have to look at who might be the captain two years, three years down the line – Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri and Rohit Sharma. Photo- BCCI
Ravi Shastri and Rohit Sharma. Photo- BCCI

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will not get any younger and the Indian team management will have to find future Indian captains in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He also said that he will be looking at Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya as potential captaincy choices. He said:

“Rohit [Sharma]’s not getting any younger. Neither is Virat [Kohli]. They’ll have to look at who might be the captain two years, three years down the line. So that’s where I’ll be looking at. I’ll be looking at Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals). I’ll be looking at Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders). Very closely. Of course KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants), the way he handles that side. And Hardik for the simple reason if that can energise in him a manner that can make him come out and play with gay abandon.”

India cricket coach, Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri. (Photo: Twitter)

Also Read: Ravi Shastri Names 3 Future India Captains To Watch Out For In The IPL 2022

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Hardik Pandya India National Cricket Team Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 KL Rahul Ravi Shastri Rishabh Pant Rohit Sharma Shreyas Iyer Virat Kohli