Spin legend R Ashwin cast doubts over India’s superstar duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s motivation to feature in preparatory matches with India A teams ahead of their ODI commitments. For the first time in nearly four months, Rohit and Kohli will be gearing up for competitive cricket since the IPL season when the Men in Blue tour Australia for three ODIs under newly-appointed skipper, Shubman Gill.
With negligible game time behind them, Ashwin said the selectors must aim to crack a middle ground and urge the veteran duo to try and feature in A games or the Vijay Hazare Trophy for their respective state sides to remain in contention in ODIs.
“If you need their services, you have to find a way. For example, the India ‘A’ series happened, so you need to ask them to play that series because there is not much 50-over cricket. They should have said that if you don’t play the series, I don’t think you fit in the plan. If not this series, then they have to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, because that will let us know the kind of form you are in,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“I have heard in the past that sometimes players do not like to play domestic cricket. Maybe they are not motivated to play in an India ‘A’ series, it could be the case. So, you have to give them the opportunity. If you have given them the chance and they said no, then it is clear. The management must tell them to show that they are serious. I don’t think any selector or coach will have it in them to say that Virat and Rohit’s services are no longer needed. That experience you cannot buy in a store. You will have to be really gone wrong somewhere to say that you don’t need them. If there is any doubt as to whether they will be able to make it until the 2027 World Cup, then I think the direction they have taken seems to be fair. You cannot go leading up to the World Cup with so many question marks,” he remarked.
2027 WC in mind
Ashwin added that the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, and his panel cannot judge Rohit and Kohli solely based on their form and fitness ahead of each series with minimal playing time.
“There is no doubt that both Rohit and Virat want to be there (in the 2027 WC). The preparation that we are seeing from them, it is an investment they are putting into their bodies to be ready for the World Cup. Ajit Agarkar and other selectors won’t be sitting in a meeting saying that he has done the gym today, so let’s select him. That is not how it works,” Ashwin said.
