Ashwin Questions Uncertainty Over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Seeks Clarity Ahead of 2027 ODI World Cup
Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the uncertainty over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ODI future, urging selectors to provide clarity ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
New Delhi: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the ODI futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, urging the Indian team management and national selectors to provide immediate clarity ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Ashwin said that if the decision-makers had already decided to move on from the veteran batters, the decision should have been communicated immediately after India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph.
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Ashwin Questions Selectors Over Rohit and Virat’s ODI Future
Speaking on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said the uncertainty over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has continued for too long.
His remarks came after IANS reported that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee was unlikely to pick Rohit Sharma in the ODI format after the third and final match of the series, currently tied 1-1, at Lord’s, London, on Sunday.
‘Decision Should Have Been Communicated After Champions Trophy’
Ashwin said that if the selectors, coach, captain or other decision-makers had already decided that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would not be part of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, they should have informed the players immediately after India’s Champions Trophy victory in March 2025.
He also mentioned Yashasvi Jaiswal, saying the young batter is “pushing hard from behind.”
Ashwin said:
“Yashasvi Jaiswal is pushing hard from behind. But if, as a selector, coach, captain or whoever the decision-maker is – if you’ve already decided in your mind that these players are not going to the 2027 World Cup, and you don’t want them… then that should have been communicated immediately after the Champions Trophy. I know it’s a double-edged sword.”
‘Every Player Deserves Honest Communication’
Ashwin acknowledged that no player would feel good if told that the team wanted to move on without them.
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Referring to his own experience, he said:
“If you go and tell players that you want to move on from them, no player will feel good about it. Even if the selectors or the coach had come to me in Australia and said, ‘We want to move past you. We’re done with you.'”
He added:
“I would also have felt bad. I’d think, ‘One bad series… is that enough? Every player is allowed one poor series.’ That’s how every player would feel. But once it’s done, you can at least say, ‘Okay… the communication was clear.'”
Ashwin Questions Delay in Decision
Ashwin questioned why the uncertainty had continued until August 2026, with only 10-12 months remaining before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
He said:
“Maybe it has already happened in Rohit’s case. Maybe it has happened in Virat’s case. Virat has been excellent. Rohit has been more than decent. So why have we allowed this to drag on until August 2026… when there are only 10-12 months left before the 2027 World Cup in South Africa? Why has it come this far? That’s my only question.”
Ashwin warned that if either Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli felt unwanted, it could affect both their confidence and performances.
He said:
“If either of those two players doesn’t feel wanted, two things will happen. First, they cannot perform at their best. Second, they will start feeling low about themselves for simply being there.”
Comparing it to living in an unwelcome environment, he added:
“If you’re in a house where people don’t want you to stay, can you really live comfortably in that house?”
Ashwin Wants Rohit and Virat for South Africa Tour
Ashwin also highlighted India’s tour of South Africa in September-October and backed the inclusion of both senior batters.
He concluded:
“We’re going to South Africa in September-October. Do we need Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma? If you ask me, I would want that experience.”
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has called on the Indian selectors and team management to provide clarity over the ODI futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli before the 2027 ODI World Cup. He argued that if the decision had already been made to move on from the veteran batters after the Champions Trophy 2025, it should have been communicated clearly instead of allowing uncertainty to continue until now.
