Ashwin points to selection bias, explains why Rohit and Virat are 'impossible to drop'
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin discusses the selection dynamics in the Indian national team, arguing that star batters like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are effectively untouchable due to their massive fan bases. He contrasts this with the vulnerability of bowlers, who he claims face higher scrutiny and are more easily dropped.
Why it matters
It highlights the influence of celebrity culture and commercial interests on professional sports team selection.
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes dropping senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is virtually impossible as long as they want to continue playing, citing their extraordinary achievements and immense fan following.Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been the pillars of Indian cricket for over 15 years, and as long as they continue to perform, leaving them out of the national team is far from straightforward. While opportunities should be created for the next generation, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the duo enjoy a level of protection that bowlers rarely receive.Ashwin argued that star batters like Rohit and Virat command unparalleled influence because of their achievements and massive fan following, whereas bowlers such as Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are more vulnerable to being dropped despite their contributions.Siraj last represented India in the Test against Afghanistan on June 6, 2026, in New Chandigarh, while Shami's most recent international…
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