'It is in someone’s mind that they shouldn’t go' - R Ashwin’s huge remark on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma playing 2027 ODI World Cup

Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the doubters of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and said that having experienced players will be key during the 2027 ODI World Cup.

There is constant scrutiny of Kohli and Rohit's performances, despite their stellar performances for close to two decades for the Men in Blue. They have retired from Tests and T20Is, and their major target in international cricket is to help India lift the ODI World Cup next year. However, critics are bashing them whenever they spot the rare blips in their performances.

The former India off-spinner urged the team management to assign clear roles for Rohit and Kohli soon. He added that if the management believes that they need the two former India captains in the ODI World Cup, they have to be given a comfortable atmosphere in the lead-up to the marquee event.

"This speculation about Rohit or Virat is not good. In all honesty, where does the speculation come from? Somewhere, it is in someone's mind that they should not go to the World Cup. I don't know who those people are. Some people will have that doubt, and somebody else wants them to be in the squad. I personally think you need experienced batters to play the World Cup in South Africa," Ashwin said in the latest video on his YouTube channel.

"If you want them, make a decision now, and make them feel absolutely comfortable and confident over the next one year. If you do not make the decision now, it becomes difficult as the same thing will keep coming back after every one or two failures," he added.

Mohammad Kaif backs Kohli, Rohit to play ODI World Cup 2027

Rohit was a part of the Indian team that whitewashed Afghanistan 3-0 last week in an ODI series. However, Kohli missed the assignment due to a hamstring injury. India's next ODI series is against England next month. While both Rohit and Kohli have been named in the squad, the latter's participation will depend on whether he regains full fitness in time for the series.