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Ashwin shuts down chatter on a Virat Kohli Test comeback, urging fans to benefit from the final stretch of Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s careers as India navigates a difficult transition.
Virat Kohli is nearly definitely not returning to Test cricket. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested that Virat Kohli returning to Test cricket is unlikely. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, the previous India spinner asked fans to enjoy Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s remaining careers because ‘time is less’ and ‘time doesn’t wait for anyone’.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed rumours that the board is trying to steer Virat Kohli or other senior players to reverse their Test retirements. Media reports had suggested growing internal chatter a couple of potential Kohli comeback and hinted that one other recently retired star may additionally reconsider if approached. But Saikia told AajTak that ‘nothing of that kind has happened’ and urged fans to not consider speculation.
“I’ll say one thing – how much time we have now to observe and luxuriate in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat, please let’s do it because once they’re done, we could hear talks like ‘oh, what a player he was! Please bring him back’. That doesn’t cut ice for me. For nonetheless long they play, allow us to have fun them so long as they’re playing. As I said, life moves on very fast. Time doesn’t wait for anyone. It is extremely necessary that we realise that the time is less. So it is healthier that we enjoy whatever they’re doing,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat”.
The rumours surfaced after India’s 2-0 home Test defeat to South Africa, which head coach Gautam Gambhir attributed to a transition phase marked by inexperienced players. Over the past 12 months, Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin have exited the format, following earlier phases that saw Pujara and Rahane dropped.
India now fields one among the least experienced Test batting line-ups, further exposed on spin-friendly pitches.
Ashwin said that though Kohli looked in sensible touch in the primary ODI against Ranchi, his decision to retire from Tests was ‘well thought out’.
“What’s there to think? Whatever decision we take, it’s well thought out. I’m sure that when a player like Kohli decided to retire from Tests, he was very clear. No person makes instinctive decisions. Now we have all crossed that road. As audiences, as fans, all of us wish to see Virat Kohli.”
“The way in which he batted yesterday, fans are going to think. But Test cricket is a unique kettle of fish, and he has made a choice regarding that. Allow us to make one thing very clear. Whatever decision he has made, he has taken it. To maintain going back to that is just not the appropriate thing to do. Plenty of players have are available in, and the team has entered a transition as well. It’s about moving forward,” he said.
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