‘Do we need Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?’: R Ashwin breaks silence on India’s 2027 World Cup plans

R Ashwin on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (Image Agency) Amid speculation over the ODI futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the timing of the debate, insisting that if the selectors wanted to move on from the veteran duo ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, they should have announced the decision much earlier.In recent weeks, social media has been abuzz with speculation that Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli could be dropped from India’s ODI plans ahead of the 2027 FIFA World Cup. Media reports even claimed that the third ODI at Lord’s could be Rohit’s final appearance in the format.

BCCI dismisses speculation of Rohit’s retirement

However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rubbished the rumors while talking to PTI on Friday, confirming that Rohit will continue to represent India in ODIs and dispelling speculations surrounding his retirement.“There is a lot of speculation in the media about Rohit Sharma’s future. I want to firmly confirm that there was no such discussion about Rohit playing his last match at Lord’s on Sunday,” Saikia was quoted as saying by PTI.Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat that India still needed the experience of Rohit and Virat for the upcoming tour of South Africa, but stressed that if the team management decided to walk away from them, the players should be informed immediately after the Champions Trophy and not let uncertainty linger.“I think we’ll go to South Africa in September and October. Do we need Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma? If you ask me, I’ll say we need that experience. I know Yashasvi Jaiswal is pushing hard from the back, but if you ever felt as a selector, coach or captain that we don’t want these players for the 2027 World Cup, then you could have told Ashwin the champion at the end of the tournament.”

“One bad streak can happen to anyone”

Ashwin, who himself retired from international cricket after being informed that the team management wanted to look beyond him, said honest communication is essential when dealing with senior players.“When you go to a player and say we want to move on from you, no player is going to like that. Even when the coach came and communicated with me in Australia that they wanted to look over me, I accepted it. One bad run can happen to any player, but you have to communicate with the player.”The 39-year-old also questioned why such discussions are emerging now that the 2027 ODI World Cup is less than a year away.“Despite all the speculation, Rohit and Virat have performed. If you really wanted to make such a transition, why has this discussion come up now, in August 2026, when the Cricket World Cup is just 10-12 months away?”