Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested that Virat Kohli returning to Test cricket is unlikely. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, the former India spinner asked fans to enjoy Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s
remaining careers because ‘time is less’ and ‘time does not wait for anyone’.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed rumours that the board is trying to persuade Virat Kohli or other senior players to reverse their Test retirements. Media reports had suggested growing internal chatter about a potential Kohli comeback and hinted that another recently retired star might also reconsider if approached. But Saikia told AajTak that ‘nothing of that sort has happened’ and urged fans not to believe speculation.
“I will say one thing – how much time we have to watch and enjoy Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat, please let’s do it because once they are done, we could hear talks like ‘oh, what a player he was! Please bring him back’. That doesn’t cut ice for me. For however long they play, let us celebrate them as long as they are playing. As I said, life moves on very fast. Time does not wait for anyone. It is very important that we realise that the time is less. So it is better that we enjoy whatever they are doing,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat”.
The rumours surfaced after India’s 2-0 home Test defeat to South Africa, which head coach Gautam Gambhir attributed to a transition phase marked by inexperienced players. Over the past year, Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin have exited the format, following earlier phases that saw Pujara and Rahane dropped.
India now fields one of the least experienced Test batting line-ups, further exposed on spin-friendly pitches.
Ashwin said that even though Kohli looked in brilliant touch in the first ODI against Ranchi, his decision to retire from Tests was ‘well thought out’.
“What is there to think? Whatever decision we take, it is well thought out. I am sure that when a player like Kohli decided to retire from Tests, he was very clear. Nobody makes instinctive decisions. We have all crossed that road. As audiences, as fans, we all want to see Virat Kohli.”
“The way he batted yesterday, fans are going to think. But Test cricket is a different kettle of fish, and he has made a decision regarding that. Let us make one thing very clear. Whatever decision he has made, he has taken it. To keep going back to that is not the right thing to do. A lot of players have come in, and the team has entered a transition as well. It is about moving forward,” he said.
