New Delhi: Former India spinner R Ashwin has urged the Indian team management and the selectors to take a clear call on senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat
Kohli amid uncertainty surrounding their participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Both Kohli and Rohit remain an integral part ofIndia’s batting line-up in the fifty-over format, however, with growing age and injury issues, there are doubts whether they can play the ODI World Cup next year.
India have already embarked on a leadership transition ahead of the World Cup, with Shubman Gill taking over the reins from Rohit in ODIs. The decision was taken last year to ensure Gill has enough to build the team for the showpiece event next year. While Kohli has been immaculate in ODIs, churning out runs consistently, the same can’t be said about Rohit.
Rohit has had a fair share of struggles with consistency and has also battled injury issues. Despite having worked hard on his fitness transformation last year, Rohit has faced injury concerns. A hamstring injury forced the senior batter to miss a few matches for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026.
However, Rohit recovered in time for India’s home ODI series against Afghanistan, where he performed well with 143 runs in three matches. Kohli missed the Afghanistan series due to a hamstring injury and his return in India’s upcoming ODI series in England is subject to fitness clearance.
Amid intense competition for spots in the Indian team and no clarity over the future of Rohit and Kohli, Ashwin urged the selectors and the team management to put an end to speculation. The former spinner backed the duo to play the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa next year, stating that their experience might come in handy for India.
“This speculation about Rohit or Virat is not good. In all honesty, where does the speculation come from? Somewhere, it is in someone’s mind that they should not go to the World Cup. I don’t know who those people are. Some people will have that doubt, and somebody else wants them to be in the squad. I personally think you need experienced batters to play the World Cup in South Africa,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.
If you want them decide now: Ashwin on Rohit, Kohli for 2027 ODI World Cup
While there are no doubts over Kohli’s form and fitness, Rohit will be 40 by the time the ODI World Cup arrives next year. In case of a last-minute injury, India will be left scrambling for options if they don’t have the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan or Sai Sudharsan, among others, as a back-up opener.
Ashwin has called for head coach Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management and the Ajit Agarkar-headed selection panel to take a firm call on whether they want Kohli and Rohit to be part of India’s World Cup plans or not.
“If you want them, decide now, and make them feel absolutely comfortable and confident over the next year. If you do not make the decision now, it becomes difficult as the same thing will keep coming back after every one or two failures,” Ashwin added.
Kohli, if fit, and Rohit will be seen in action together when India lock horns with England in a three-match ODI series, starting July 14.
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