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 before the 2027 ODI World Cup, they should have announced this decision 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 World Cup. Media reports even claimed that the third ODI at Lord’s would be Rohit’s last appearance in the format.
BCCI dismissed speculation of Rohit’s retirement
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed the rumors while talking to PTI on Friday, confirming that Rohit will continue to represent India in ODIs and dismissing the speculation surrounding his retirement.“There is a lot of speculation going on in the media about Rohit Sharma’s future. I want to firmly state that there is no such talk that Rohit will play his last match at Lord’s on Sunday,” Saikia said, as quoted by PTI.Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said 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 move on from them, the players should have been informed immediately after the Champions Trophy instead of allowing uncertainty to linger.“I think we are going to South Africa in September and October. Do we need Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma? If you ask me, I will say we need that experience. I know Yashasvi Jaiswal is pushing hard from the back, but if you feel as a selector, coach or captain that we don’t want these players in the 2027 World Cup, then you can tell Ashwin the Sa Trophy.
“A bad streak can happen to anyone”
Ashwin, who himself retired from international cricket after announcing that the team management wanted to look beyond him, said honest communication was important when dealing with senior players.“If you go to a player and tell him that we want to move away from you, no player likes that. Even when the coach came and talked to me in Australia that they want to turn me around, I accepted it. A bad series can happen to any player, but you have to talk to the player.”The 39-year-old also questioned why such discussions are emerging now, with less than a year to go before the 2027 ODI World Cup.“Above all speculation, Rohit and Virat are performing. If you really want to make such a change, why has this discussion come up now, in August 2026, when there are 10 to 12 months left before the Cricket World Cup?”