New Delhi: The debate regarding the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Indian cricket is continuously increasing. Looking at the 2027 ODI World Cup, the question is arising whether the team management will now give a chance to the new generation or whether the trust will remain in both the legends.
Meanwhile, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has openly expressed his opinion on this entire issue. He says that dropping players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the team cannot be an easy decision for any selector. He has given two big reasons behind this, which also highlight the current reality of Indian cricket.
Do the records of Rohit and Virat give them a different status?
Ashwin believes that no player can be evaluated only by his recent performance. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have taken charge of Indian cricket for almost two decades and have led the team to victory in many big tournaments. The names of such players have not just statistics but a long history of winning matches. This is the reason why selectors cannot adopt the same thinking as ordinary players while deciding on their future. Ashwin said that it would not be fair to exclude players with such a big career based on a few bad innings.
Does popularity also become a major factor in selection?
The former off-spinner cited the second reason as the extraordinary popularity of both the players. According to him, Rohit and Virat are not just cricketers but are a part of the emotions of crores of Indians. A large number of spectators in the country and abroad reach the stadium just to see him bat. In such a situation, if a senior batsman is suddenly dropped from the team, its impact is not limited to cricket only, but it sparks debate in the entire sports world. Ashwin said that this is the reason why the decisions in the case of these two players are different from normal circumstances.
Are bowlers and batsmen treated equally?
Ashwin also raised questions on the selection process. He says that the scale of evaluation of batsmen and bowlers in Indian cricket has not always been the same. Many times, bowlers are shown the door early after poor performance, while big batsmen get more chances to make a comeback. Describing this difference as the reality of the selection system, he said that this is not just a matter of current times but a long-standing situation. However, he did not criticise any player but rather pointed towards the different approach of the selection process.
Should there be direct communication with players?
Ashwin also said that if the team management does not want to keep any senior player forward as part of future plans, then it should communicate the same respectfully and clearly. According to him, players who have played for the country for so long should not know about their future from media reports or rumours. He said that transparent communication between selectors, coaches and players will be in the interest of Indian cricket and will not lead to unnecessary controversies.
Has Rohit Sharma replied to the critics?
Rohit Sharma recently came into the limelight once again by scoring a century in the ODI series against England. Amidst the continuously rising questions of retirement and being dropped from the team, he responded with the bat. After the match, Rohit also clearly said that outside discussions have no impact on his game and his entire focus is on performing better for India. This also indicated that at present he is not paying attention to any speculations regarding his career.
Will this debate continue till the 2027 World Cup?
The discussions regarding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to intensify in the coming months. There will be demands for change in Team India, but Ashwin believes that experience, achievements and the trust of millions of fans give these two players a different identity. In such a situation, as long as both are fit, performing and want to play, the decision to drop them from the team will be one of the toughest decisions for Indian cricket.
