Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has stated that it is almost impossible to drop senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as long as they wish to continue playing. He attributes this to their significant achievements and large fan bases. Ashwin highlighted a disparity in Indian cricket, suggesting that star batters often receive more backing and recognition compared to bowlers, who he believes are more vulnerable to being dropped despite their contributions.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been key figures in Indian cricket for over 15 years. Ashwin noted that their continued performance makes it challenging to exclude them from the national team, even as opportunities are sought for the next generation of players. He contrasted the influence wielded by batters like Rohit and Virat with that of bowlers such as Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.
The influence of star batters
Ashwin explained on his YouTube channel, ‘Ash Ki Baat’, that dropping Rohit Sharma is not as straightforward as removing other players, especially given Rohit’s recent performances. He pointed out that both Virat Kohli and Rohit possess incredible credentials, making them virtually untouchable if they choose to continue playing. Rohit has accumulated over 12,000 international runs, and both players have consistently performed for India.
According to Ashwin, the immense fan following of these batters means that any decision to drop them would lead to a significant public outcry. He stated, “No one will be able to touch Virat or Rohit if they want to continue playing because both have incredible credentials… They are batters, and they have massive fan armies. People come to the stadiums to watch them. If you drop either of them, the noise will be deafening.”
This sentiment was echoed by Shubman Gill, who confirmed that Rohit Sharma has not discussed his international future with the team, despite media speculation. Gill praised Rohit’s recent performance, where he scored 138 runs off 110 balls at Lord’s, becoming the first Indian batter to achieve an ODI century at that venue. Gill highlighted Rohit’s excellent pacing and acceleration after reaching 70 runs in that innings.
The 39-year-old Rohit, who currently plays only the 50-over format, silenced critics with his historic century at Lord’s, even though the team ultimately lost by 27 runs. Gill described Rohit’s innings as “great” and noted the strategic discussions during the game about keeping wickets in hand to chase a large score.
Bowlers’ vulnerability in selection
Ashwin drew a clear contrast in how bowlers are treated in comparison to star batters. He suggested that if bowlers like Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, or Bhuvneshwar Kumar are not selected, the reaction would be far less significant. “If Shami isn’t picked, or Siraj isn’t picked, or Bhuvneshwar isn’t picked, maybe 10 people will ask questions, then 100, 1,000 or even 10,000 at most. But it won’t create the same uproar. That’s the difference,” Ashwin explained.
He added that if bowlers received similar levels of support, they too could become “undroppable.” However, he concluded that the reality is that dropping Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma is “almost impossible.”
Recent international appearances for some bowlers illustrate this point. Mohammed Siraj last played for India in a Test against Afghanistan on June 6, 2026, in New Chandigarh. Mohammed Shami’s most recent international match was in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand in Dubai.
In a separate instance, Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir faced scrutiny for not including Kuldeep Yadav in all three games of a series, despite England effectively using multiple spinners. Gill later admitted that, in hindsight, playing two spinners might have been beneficial given how the wicket slowed down. He explained that the initial decision was based on the perception that the wicket would not slow significantly, and the team’s strategy leaned towards fast bowlers when something seemed to be happening.
The discussion around player selection and the contrasting treatment of batters and bowlers continues to be a topic of interest in Indian cricket.
Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev also weighed in on the topic, stating that while no player is a “certainty,” those who perform consistently should continue to play. He noted that even stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not immune to performance-based decisions, but emphasized that selectors and team management are best placed to make such calls. Kapil Dev encouraged fans to appreciate the remaining years of these veteran players’ careers, highlighting the joy they have brought to cricket enthusiasts globally.
Kapil Dev also urged selectors to prioritize forming a team that can win matches for India, irrespective of age or stature. He emphasized that winning is the most important aspect and that the team should focus on selecting players who can contribute to victories.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
