Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Return Ends in Disappointment — R Ashwin Shares Honest Advice
Cricket: Much-anticipated comeback of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the Indian cricket team after more than seven months did not go as fans hoped. Playing against Australia in the first ODI at Perth, both senior players struggled to make an impact. Rohit managed to score only 8 runs, while Kohli was dismissed for a duck. India eventually lost the match by seven wickets, leaving fans and experts questioning the team’s preparation.
After the match, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offered an honest take on what went wrong and what both players need to focus on moving forward. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said,
“For their own good, I think they can focus a bit more on preparation especially playing enough matches before going on overseas tours. But that’s not entirely in their control; the team management has to plan it properly.”
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Ashwin emphasized that it’s too early to judge either Kohli or Rohit after just one game, but expressed one key concern: lack of game time.
“My only worry for them is can they get more match practice? That will decide how quickly they find form,” he added.
Cricket Challenges Ahead for Kohli and Rohit

Having played alongside both stars for years, Ashwin understands their mindset better than most. He acknowledged that the road ahead won’t be easy for India’s two most experienced batters.
“It’s not going to be easy for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. I really hope they find some rhythm because they haven’t played much competitive cricket recently. They trained individually and then joined the squad for this tour,” Ashwin explained.
He further noted that maintaining consistency over the next couple of years will be a tough challenge for both players.
“If they manage to perform at their usual level for the next two years, it will be a tremendous achievement. It’s going to test their resilience and preparation.”
Importance of Planning Before Tours
Ashwin also stressed that better planning and scheduling are key when it comes to international tours. In his view, arriving early and getting accustomed to conditions can make a big difference.
“When we used to travel overseas earlier, we would reach 10–15 days before the series began. Sometimes we went in two or three batches to prepare well. That kind of planning definitely helps,” he said.
According to Ashwin, proper planning isn’t just about fitness it’s about building rhythm, focus, and match sharpness, especially after long breaks.
Kohli’s Fitness and the Role of Practice

In Cricket R Ashwin also referred to Virat Kohli’s recent comments on fitness, praising his commitment but reminding fans that batting form relies on more than physical strength.
“I saw Virat’s interview where he talked about maintaining fitness that’s very important. But in batting, hand-eye coordination is equally vital. You can’t afford to ignore that,” he said.
He added that Kohli likely worked hard on his coordination and timing, but actual match situations are different.
In Cricket “Knowing Virat, he must have practiced well, but once you’re in your mid-30s and playing limited formats, you need to stay on top of your game. Practice alone can’t replicate match pressure,” Ashwin observed.
At the same time, Ashwin complimented Rohit Sharma’s fitness, noting that the Indian captain looked “really, really fit” despite the disappointing performance in Perth.
What Lies Ahead In Cricket

With two more ODIs to go in the India vs Australia series, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have a chance to bounce back and silence critics. Their form will be crucial not just for this series, but also for India’s preparation for upcoming tournaments.
As Ashwin pointed out, success for senior players now depends on finding balance between fitness, preparation, and match time. For fans and the team alike, all eyes will be on how the two modern legends respond in the next game.
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