Ravi Ashwin opens up on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s roles ahead of Champions Trophy

Ahead of the upcoming ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy 2025, former Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin has opened up on senior duo Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s roles in the side.

Ashwin has asserted that Virat Kohli needs to act as a glue between the aggressive top-order and lower-order. On the other hand, he stated that Rohit Sharma needs to continue his aggressive brand of cricket in ODIs.

“It is important to realise Virat would be playing the role Hardik and Rinku played in T20Is. Who will be the bridge between aggressive batting on top and finishing the batting in the latter end? Virat. Virat has to play to his strengths, and if he regains form, then there is nothing like it for the Indian cricket team. He doesn’t have to change his game at all. Honestly, what is the hurry in ODIs? It is important to do what is right by the 50-over format,” Ravi Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

With the conclusion of the five-match T20I series, India will now move to the three-match ODI series, starting on Thursday, February 6. After the conclusion of the ODI series, India will head to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to start on February 19.

While Rohit Sharma ended ICC ODI World Cup 2023 as the leading run-scorer, Virat Kohli emerged as the second-best scorer. Ashwin feels there is no need for the Indian skipper and opener Rohit to change his template.

“Considering how Rohit played in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, I don’t think he would have an issue. The way Rohit has adapted to the changing times and led from the front, I don’t think he will take a step back from the template,” Ashwin added.

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