Ravichandran Ashwin BLOCKS Virat Kohli from making Test comeback

Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian cricketer, has empathised with Indian cricket fans who have urged for a potential return for Virat Kohli in Test cricket, but at the same time has asserted that the player's wish is final in such matters, and Virat Kohli might have made that decision after some serious thinking and is very unlikely to be overturned.

The rumours surrounding Virat Kohli's return surfaced before the First ODI at Ranchi; hence, fans were not just influenced by his recent hundred but really wanted him back to improve India's batting standards in the longest format of the game.

However, after India failed to qualify for the WTC finals in 2025, Virat Kohli, alongside major Indian names Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, stepped away from Test cricket and ended the golden era of India's Test dominance.

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Ravichandran Ashwin ruins fans' hopes for Virat Kohli's return

Virat Kohli himself had snubbed the idea of a potential return to Test cricket when Harsha Bhogle asked him the same question after his century at Ranchi. Now, Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Kohli and claimed that when such a decision is made, it's made with some serious thinking, and there is no backtrack under any circumstances.

"I'm very sure a player like Virat, when he retired from Tests, was very clear that he wanted to retire. Nobody makes instinctive decisions. As fans, we all want to see Virat Kohli. The way he batted yesterday, fans will think that he is still in prime shape and form, and why are we not getting to see this in Tests?"

"He has already made his decision in Test cricket. So, let's just make one thing very clear, the decision has already been taken, so revisiting that constantly is not the right way," R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"It is very important that we realise that the time is less," Ashwin added on RO-KO's future

Ever since India failed to qualify for the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship Final, which would have been their third entry into the finals of the tournament, several changes have been made to the Indian side.

However, nothing much has gone India's way since the transition, as despite their series draw in England, India was hammered at times, like the 600+ total at Old Trafford and the humiliating defeat at Lord's. Such humiliation increased as they once again were whitewashed by a visiting team at their home.

However, Ravichandran Ashwin explained how the team has already initiated a transition, and a return of any of the former players would surely affect the team dynamics as well as be harmful from the team's point of view.

"Already so many players have come, and the team has already gone into transition. It is about moving forward. I will say one thing though, whatever days that are left for us to enjoy watching Rohit and Virat watch, please let's do it. Let's celebrate them as long as they are playing. It is very important that we realise that the time is less," Ashwin added.

Ravichandran Ashwin's encouragement for Harshit Rana

Though Virat Kohli might have stolen most of the spotlight, true cricket enthusiasts are thrilled by Harshit Rana's performance, as he has already received great praise from the stand-in captain, KL Rahul.

Now, one of his former critics, whose comments had once sparked major controversy, has taken his side and praised him to the core. Ravichandran Ashwin hailed Rana for getting the ball moving under the lights and has pointed to it as one of his major boosts for both the player and the team.

"Harshit Rana's spell was decisive. He took advantage of the temperature drop. What stood out from his spell was that he always gets the ball to swing in to the right-hander, but yesterday, with the new ball, he was showing outswing shape for the right-hander and inswing for the left-hander. That is very encouraging, not only from Harshit Rana's side, but from the Indian team's side as well," Ravichandran Ashwin said.

Harshit Rana picked three crucial wickets in the innings, two of which came in the very first over of his spell. He got the better of South African left-handed batters Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock and then later dismissed a dangerous-looking Dewald Brevis to bring India right back into the game.

"A player is showing improvement, he is showing that he is developing skills, not only hitting the deck hard, but also doing this. With the new ball, he was fabulous yesterday, and I think he will only get better with the older ball and death bowling as time rolls along," he added.

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