Ravi Ashwin opens up on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma playing ICC ODI World Cup 2027

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Ashwin has given a piece of advice to the Indian batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are all set for their comeback in the three-match ODI series against Australia Down Under.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin asserted that Kohli and Rohit need to get more game time in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy to stay fit. Notably, India is expected to play only a limited number of ODIs ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup in 2027.

"The India A series is currently going on. You know that there are not many ODI matches before the 2027 Cricket World Cup. So Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should be told to play the series. They should be told, 'If you don't play this series, then you don't fit in the plan. If you are not a part of this series, you need to go and play Vijay Hazare Trophy because that is another thing we can look at the form you are in'," Ashwin said on 'Ash Ki Baat' on his YouTube channel.

"I have heard it in the past that players don't like to play at times because maybe they are not motivated enough to play India A series. It could happen. Since you want to play 2027 Cricket World Cup, show that you are serious about it. Go and play Ranji Trophy cricket and other tournaments; the selectors will also know, he is serious about playing," he added.

Kohli and Rohit last played international cricket in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which India successfully won after defeating New Zealand in the grand finale in March 2025. Though they played the IPL 2025 season later, they are yet to set foot in the international arena since March 2025.

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