Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin lavished praise on Virat Kohli after India won the opening ODI against the West Indies by eight wickets. Ashwin hailed Kohli for batting with a great flow despite playing only one format and returning to action after almost two months.
The right-hander was able to hit the ground running against the Windies and scored an outstanding knock of 139 runs off just 88 balls with the help of 10 fours and nine sixes. Kohli looked in no trouble throughout the course of his innings as he batted at the top of his game.
Ashwin cheekily questioned if Kohli was playing for England in English conditions ahead of the series against the Caribbean nation.
“Virat Kohli’s batting is brilliant. Is he playing for England in England? I don’t know. Coming and batting with that flow is not easy. It is just remarkable. This was always going to happen. We would keep saying what about Virat? What about Rohit? What is the selection committee thinking? But we all knew this was going to happen. After the Champions Trophy win, taking a new route is not possible at all,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
On the other hand, the former off-spinner added that the selector and the coach have no credentials to prove the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli don’t deserve their place in the ODI team for the World Cup.
“If Gautam Gambhir and Agarkar think that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma do not fit into the 50-over side, then it has to be proven with proper credentials. There was one point in time when Rohit’s fitness was slightly tested, and his form dipped a bit. If that topic had come up then, it would have merit. Discussing the topic is not wrong. But there has to be clear communication with the player,” he said.
Ashwin said there should be no doubt regarding Kohli’s future with the team given the way he is batting.
“In the case of Virat, this topic should not even be raised. Just look at how he is batting. After winning the 2025 Champions Trophy, on pure credentials and merit, Virat and Rohit should be there in the plans for the next 24 months. Your responsibility is to keep them fit and in form till the World Cup. When we can make exceptions for legends like Sachin, Virat and Rohit are no different. Where is the logic in leaving them out? That was never going to happen.”
The second ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday.
