Virat Kohli Faces Pressure After Rohit Sharma's Possible ODI Exit

Ashwin feels after Rohit Sharma's possible exit from ODI team, the pressure is now on Virat Kohli.

What happened?

Rohit Sharma's international future has become the dominant storyline of India's tour of England. According to an Indian Express report, the veteran opener has been informed by the BCCI selectors that he is not in their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, raising the possibility that Sunday's third ODI at Lord's could be his last in India colours. Neither Rohit nor the board has spoken publicly on the matter, but the implications are stark. The 39-year-old has already retired from Tests in 2025 and T20Is in 2024, meaning an ODI exit would bring the curtain down on one of the most decorated careers Indian cricket has produced.

Why it matters for Virat Kohli

Into that charged atmosphere stepped Ravichandran Ashwin, who used his platform to deliver a scathing assessment of how the situation has been handled. The former off-spinner's central objection was not the decision itself but its timing. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat, Ashwin argued the message should have been delivered far earlier if the selectors had genuinely made up their minds. He accepted Rohit's recent form had dipped while insisting that alone did not justify the delay.

What comes next?

Ashwin's most pointed observation concerned the knock-on effect for Virat Kohli. He suggested the manner of Rohit's treatment sends an unavoidable message to the other senior batter in the side, one that will weigh on his mind. "Players like Rohit and Virat, they deserve respect. There are 12 months to go, and this is too late to make a call like this," Ashwin said. "And the way it is going on, Virat also has to be on top of his game, unfortunately." He stressed that neither veteran had earned the right to be treated in such a manner.

Ashwin questioned the selectors' timing, asking why they had let the situation drag on for so long. "Why have we let it come till 2026 August when it is just 10-12 months left for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa? Why have we let it come this far?" he asked. Ashwin's frustration crystallised into a single repeated question.

Ashwin's warning to Virat Kohli is clear: with Rohit's possible exit, the pressure is now on him to perform. With the 2027 ODI World Cup just 10-12 months away, Virat Kohli must be 'on top of his game' if he is to lead India to success.

The impact on Virat Kohli

Ashwin's words will undoubtedly have an impact on Virat Kohli, who must now navigate the pressure of being the senior batter in the side. With Rohit's possible exit, Virat Kohli will be under the spotlight, and he will need to perform if India is to have any chance of success in the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The BCCI selectors must now decide how to proceed with Virat Kohli, who will be under pressure to perform in the coming months. With the 2027 ODI World Cup just around the corner, Virat Kohli will need to be at the top of his game if he is to lead India to success.

The situation is now clear: with Rohit's possible exit, the pressure is now on Virat Kohli to perform. The question is, can he rise to the challenge?

category: player_focus