Ashwin praised Kohli's incredible fluency and form on return to international cricket after a two-month break.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised Virat Kohli's incredible fluency and form after a two-month break as the star batter produced a match-winning hundred in the first ODI against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (September 27).
Because Kohli lives in London and plays only the 50-over format for India, Ashwin joked and wondered if the batting stalwart had been secretly playing local cricket matches in England to maintain that kind of touch.
Ashwin also noted that doubts raised by pundits about Kohli and Rohit Sharma and the selection committee's plans were unwarranted, as both players were always expected to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"Virat Kohli's batting is brilliant. Is he playing for England in England? I don't know. Coming and batting with that flow is not easy. It is just remarkable. This was always going to happen. We would keep saying what about Virat? What about Rohit? What the selection committee is thinking? But we all knew this was going to happen. After the Champions Trophy win, taking a new route is not possible at all," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Chasing a target of 296, Rohit fell after scoring 32 runs off 35 balls while Kohli obliterated the Caribbean bowling attack with a ferocious knock of 139* in just 88 balls, including 10 fours and career-best 9 sixes.
During his blistering innings, Kohli became only the second batter in cricket history to cross 15,000 ODI runs, following the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He reached the milestone in his 303rd ODI innings, achieving it 74 innings faster than Tendulkar.
Ashwin stressed that any discussion regarding the exclusion of Kohli and Rohit by head coach Gautam Gambhir or chief selector Ajit Agarkar must be backed by transparent, direct communication rather than speculative chatter.
"If Gautam Gambhir and Agarkar think that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma do not fit into the 50-over side, then it has to be proven with proper credentials. There was one point in time when Rohit's fitness was slightly tested, and his form dipped a bit. If that topic had come up then, it would have merit. Discussing the topic is not wrong. But there has to be clear communication with the player," he added.
Ashwin emphasized that since the duo successfully anchored India's 2025 ICC Champions Trophy triumph, the management's priority should simply be keeping them in prime condition for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"In the case of Virat, this topic should not even be raised. Just look at how he is batting. After winning the 2025 Champions Trophy, on pure credentials and merit, Virat and Rohit should be there in the plans for the next 24 months. Your responsibility is to keep them fit and in form till the World Cup. When we can make exceptions for legends like Sachin, Virat and Rohit are no different. Where is the logic in leaving them out? That was never going to happen," he remarked.