NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly defended Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli amid growing speculation over the future of the two batting stalwarts, saying their achievements and immense popularity make them extremely difficult to leave out of the national team.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said Rohit and Kohli remain untouchable as long as they are willing to play for India. He pointed to Rohit’s remarkable career record, which includes nearly 12,000 international runs, as one of the biggest reasons the selectors would find it difficult to move on from him.
Ashwin also highlighted the duo’s massive fan following, saying millions of supporters watch matches specifically to see Rohit and Kohli in action. According to him, dropping either batter would trigger a huge public reaction unlike the response usually seen when bowlers are left out of the squad.
He contrasted the situation with fast bowlers such as Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, noting that while their omission may raise questions, it does not generate the same level of nationwide attention. Ashwin added that if bowlers ever attracted a similar level of public support, selectors would also find it much harder to drop them.
The comments come after intense speculation surrounding Rohit’s future, with reports suggesting the veteran opener may not remain in India’s plans beyond the ongoing England tour. However, Rohit responded in emphatic fashion by producing a magnificent 138 off 110 balls in the third ODI at Lord’s.
After modest scores in the first two matches, the Indian captain returned to top form with a commanding innings that featured 17 boundaries and five sixes. Chasing a daunting target of 388, Rohit’s aggressive knock kept India’s hopes alive for most of the contest and served as a timely reminder of his match winning ability.
His performance has reignited the debate over his future, with Ashwin insisting that players of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s stature continue to command their place through both their performances and extraordinary legacy in Indian cricket.
