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Virat Kohli and his future with the Indian national cricket team once again ruled the headlines amid his heroics in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026). Virat Kohli recently spoke about his future in international cricket and dreams of playing in the 2027 ICC World Cup.
Soon after Kohli’s statement, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin felt that a player like Kohli has already done everything possible for the national team and does not need to keep proving himself again and again.
Virat Kohli wants trust and clarity from team management over India's future
Recently, speaking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) podcast, Virat Kohli said he still loves playing cricket and is ready to contribute to the Indian team.
Read Also: MS Dhoni rejected IPL 2026 comeback despite being fit for last two CSK matches!!!
But at the same time, he also wants clarity and trust from the team management about his role. The former India captain explained that it becomes difficult for any player when opinions change after every few matches.
He wants to feel valued and worthy by the team management to continue playing for India. The right-hander also admitted his goal to play in the 2027 ICC World Cup.
Kohli’s powerful statement shocks fans
Kohli had said on the RCB podcast: “My perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I am part of, and the environment feels that I can add value, I will be seen. If I am made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I am not in that space.”
He added, “If you go to a workplace and people say they believe in your abilities and a week later they start questioning the way you operate, it’s like, why? Either tell me on day one that I am not good enough or not needed, or But if you have said I am good enough and you are not thinking otherwise, then be quiet.”
Ravichandran Ashwin says Virat Kohli has nothing left to prove
Now, reacting to Kohli’s statement, Ashwin strongly said that after spending so many years winning matches for India, the former captain has nothing left to prove to anyone.
Ravichandran Ashwin said in a video posted on YouTube: “If Virat Kohli is saying that he doesn’t need to prove his worth to anyone, then he is right. There’s nothing left for him to prove to anybody. My thought process was the same too.
Who do I even have to prove anything to? After playing for so many years and winning many games for India, who does he still need to prove himself to?”
🚨 Ashwin supported Virat Kohli for his test retirement statement:
— TEJASH (@Tejashyyyyy) May 16, 2026
He said, “I don't have to prove my work to anyone,” and that's absolutely right. Why, man? I also felt the same. There was nothing left to prove. Whom does he need to prove himself to after playing for so many… pic.twitter.com/iPiVfdjCuR
Read Also: How Sourav Ganguly fast-tracked MS Dhoni to the Indian team?
Notably, Virat Kohli has already retired from Test and T20I cricket. Speaking about his ODI career, the iconic batter remains one of the greatest batters in the format. Kohli has scored 14,797 runs in 311 ODI matches with 54 centuries and an average close to 59.
Kohli, who has already scored 400+ runs, will be seen in action on May 17 when RCB take on the struggling Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their crucial IPL 2026 match in Dharamsala. The defending champions will aim to seal the playoff spot with a win over PBKS on Sunday.
