R Ashwin points out selection bias, explains why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ‘can’t be dropped’

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Image: AP) Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes knocking out senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is virtually impossible if they want to continue playing, citing their extraordinary achievements and huge fan following.Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been the pillars of Indian cricket for over 15 years and if they continue their performances, leaving them out of the national team is far from easy. While opportunities should be created for the next generation, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the duo has a level of protection that bowlers rarely get.Ashwin argued that star batsmen like Rohit and Virat have unprecedented influence due to their achievements and massive fan following, while bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are more prone to being dropped despite their contributions.Siraj last represented India in a Test against Afghanistan on 6 June 2026 in New Chandigarh, while Shami’s last international appearance came in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand in Dubai.Taking to his YouTube channel titled ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ashwin said that dropping Rohit is not as simple as dropping any other player, especially after the veteran’s recent performances. He also highlighted a long-standing disparity in Indian cricket where star batsmen often receive more support and recognition than bowlers.

“No one can touch Virat or Rohit”

“No one will be able to touch Virat or Rohit if they want to continue playing because they both have unbelievable credits. Rohit has more than 12,000 international runs and both have delivered regularly for India. They are batsmen and they have huge armies of fans. People go to stadiums to watch them. If you drop either of them, the noise on his YouTube will be deafening,” said Baat Ashwin.

Ashwin raises voice for bolwers

Ashwin compared it to the treatment of bowlers.“If Shami is not selected or Siraj is not selected or Bhuvneshwar is not selected, maybe 10 people will ask questions, then 100, 1,000 or even 10,000 at the most. But it will not create the same uproar. That is the difference. If bowlers start getting that kind of support as well, that kind of support would become unfathomable or Roith would give up on them.” almost impossible,” he added.