Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Kohli and Rohit Amid Retirement Speculations
Ashwin's Strong Support for Kohli and Rohit
Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian all-rounder, has made a bold statement asserting that dropping Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is 'impossible.' His comments come amidst ongoing discussions regarding the future of these two cricketing stalwarts, especially after their retirement from Test cricket. Speculation about their inclusion in the lineup for the 2027 ODI World Cup has been rampant. Concerns were raised about Rohit ahead of the third ODI against England, which India lost by 27 runs. Some reports hinted that he might play his farewell match at Lord's, but Rohit silenced critics with a remarkable innings of 138 runs, while Kohli contributed with a solid 74.
Ashwin's Perspective on the Senior Players
In response to the external pressures, Rohit emphasized that he remains focused on performing for the team, disregarding public opinion. Ashwin echoed this sentiment, insisting that both players should remain untouchable due to their proven track records. He dismissed the notion that Rohit is feeling any pressure, suggesting that rumors often arise from speculation. On his YouTube channel, 'Ash Ki Baat,' Ashwin stated, 'They cannot touch both Virat and Rohit if they want to play. Why's that? They have the credentials. They have scored runs. They are both batters, and they cannot touch them.'
Ashwin further elaborated, 'If you look at the news of Rohit's potential retirement, it was not just noise. If there's no fire, there would be no smoke. There was fire, but Rohit scored runs, and he has shown how it's done. Rohit has no doubt about playing in the World Cup. They cannot touch both Rohit and Virat because they are batters. They have an army and a battalion. People come to watch them. If you show them the door, it will break the roof down.'
Ashwin's Thoughts on Senior Bowlers
While the BCCI has dismissed claims regarding Rohit's last game at Lord's, the pressure on him is evident, especially with selectors looking to give Yashasvi Jaiswal a chance. Ashwin expressed concern for senior bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, noting that their absence from the team rarely garners significant attention. 'When you don't pick Siraj, Shami, or Bhuvneshwar, only a few will inquire about them. But if there comes a day when people raise their voice for the bowlers, then dropping them would also become difficult. You also know dropping Virat and Rohit is impossible. But the same does not apply to the bowlers,' Ashwin concluded.