“When you come back from a long layoff, you are obviously going to be rusty” - Ravi Shastri backs Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma to come out good

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has admitted that the Indian talismanic batting duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were bound to be a bit rusty after coming back from a long layoff. Notably, Kohli and Rohit scored zero and eight runs respectively in the first ODI vs Australia in Perth.

Speaking exclusively on the ICC Review, Shastri emphasized that things will get tough for any overseas team to land in Australia only two days before the start of the series and adjust to the conditions straightaway. 

"I mean, they came back, they got caught on a dodgy pitch. It was a good toss to win for Australia and then the weather was such that it was not easy. When you come back from a long layoff, you are obviously going to be rusty," Ravi Shastri said on ICC Review.

"It's not easy for any overseas team to land in Australia, say, two days prior to a game in Perth and adjust to those conditions straight away, especially when you have that extra bounce and against quality fast bowlers. But I think only time will tell. They'll go to Adelaide, they have some time off to get into the nets, get their minds sorted and get back into action," he added.

Furthermore, the former Indian head coach also backed the Indian veteran duo Kohli and Rohit to come out well in the remaining two ODIs of the three-match series Down Under, ticking the boxes instead of judging them immediately.

"So I'm in no hurry to judge, but it's when you come back at that age, after some time, it's about how much you're enjoying the sport and how much hunger is there and passion is left in you to play the game. So if you tick the boxes in two out of those three, especially the enjoyment part of it, then you can give them both time because they've got class, they've got experience and a little bit of time will sort things out. But I'd rather wait than jump and judge immediately," he concluded.

India will next take on Australia in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Thursday, October 23.

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