Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the debate surrounding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s place in the ODI side, claiming that dropping the two senior batters is “impossible” because of their stature in Indian cricket.
Ashwin’s remarks came after India’s ODI series defeat to England, a series in which both Rohit and Kohli responded to mounting scrutiny with important contributions. While Rohit smashed 138 in the third ODI after questions were raised about his place in the side, Kohli also returned to form with a fluent 74.
Ashwin on Rohit and Kohli
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin dismissed the idea that there was no pressure on Rohit before the final ODI. Reports ahead of the match had suggested the India captain could be playing his last ODI, although the BCCI later denied those claims.
Ashwin said such speculation does not emerge without reason but insisted that, in reality, players of Rohit and Kohli’s stature are extremely difficult to leave out.
“You also know dropping Virat and Rohit is impossible,” Ashwin said, adding that “no one can touch” the senior duo.
Rohit had also addressed the speculation after his century, saying he was not concerned by the “outside noise” and that his focus remained on performing for the team.
Different standards for bowlers?
While his comments on Rohit and Kohli attracted attention, Ashwin used the discussion to make a broader point about India’s selection process.
He argued that senior bowlers do not receive the same level of backing from fans or the media when they are left out of the playing XI.
Referring to experienced pacers such as Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashwin said their omissions rarely trigger widespread debate.
“But when you don’t pick Siraj, Shami or Bhuvneshwar, only 10 people will ask about them. A maximum of 1,000 people will ask. Let’s consider 10,000 people ask about them. But there would be no noise,” he said.
Ashwin added that if public reaction to bowlers’ omissions became as strong as it is for senior batters, selectors would find those decisions equally difficult.
“If there comes a day when people raise their voice for the bowlers, then dropping them would also become difficult,” he added.
Ashwin’s remarks have once again brought attention to the different scrutiny faced by India’s batters and bowlers. While discussions around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli often dominate headlines, Ashwin believes experienced bowlers do not receive the same level of public support when selection decisions go against them.
