Ashwin Says Cricket is Bigger Than Any Individual, Even Kohli
Virat Kohli recently brought the curtain down on his illustrious 14-year Test career, sparking debates about the future of Test cricket. While many believe that Kohli’s retirement takes some shine off the format, his former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin sees it differently. Speaking to RevSportz, Ashwin emphasized that no player, not even Kohli, is above the game.
“I do not think anybody who has played the game, or will play the game, is higher than the game itself. Nobody that walks the park does good for the game – the game does good or bad by them,” Ashwin said, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
Virat Kohli has long been credited with reviving interest in Test cricket, especially at a time when T20 Internationals and domestic leagues dominate the scene. Unlike many players who prioritized shorter formats, Kohli stood firm in his commitment to the red-ball game. Yet Ashwin believes that while Kohli did a lot for the format, it’s now time to look forward.
“I love Virat, but he has come, played the game, left the game, left it at a great place. And now, it is for someone else to take it forward,” Ashwin added.
The Future of India’s Test Cricket: Young Guns in the Spotlight
Ashwin, who is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 537 scalps, expressed excitement about the next generation stepping into leadership roles. He highlighted the importance of the attitude and drive of young players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel in shaping India’s Test future.
“Now looking forward to the attitude and desire of talents like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel to take it ahead. It’s time to see if they can replicate the intense energy that players like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar showed on the field all these years,” said Ashwin.
He also emphasized that maintaining energy and commitment to Test cricket is not just on the shoulders of a few young players but a collective responsibility for the entire team.
India’s next challenge comes in the form of a five-match Test series against England. The series kicks off at Headingley on June 20 (Friday), marking a new chapter for the Indian Test team under fresh leadership and youthful energy.
