Ashwin Says Age Demands Extra Effort from Rohit and Kohli: “They Must Work Twice as Hard Now”

Mumbai, October 21: Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that with age catching up to India’s batting icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the duo must now put in twice the effort compared to their younger days, particularly in terms of preparation and match readiness.

Rohit and Kohli made their long-awaited return to competitive cricket during the first ODI against Australia last Sunday after nearly five months away from the format. However, the comeback did not go as planned — Rohit was dismissed for 8, while Kohli fell for a duck. India eventually lost the rain-curtailed match by seven wickets, handing Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and rigorous training for senior players who now play only limited formats.

“When you go on an international tour, you have to plan ahead,” Ashwin said. “As you age, it gets harder — you have to work twice as hard. I saw Virat’s interview where he talked about fitness, and yes, it’s crucial. But batting also demands sharp hand-eye coordination, and that needs specific training.”

Rohit Sharma, who reportedly shed around 10 kilograms ahead of his return, drew praise from Ashwin for his renewed focus on fitness.

“It’s great to see Rohit looking really fit and moving well on the field,” Ashwin noted. “For experienced players, once they find their rhythm, it becomes easier. But they need to focus more on preparation — ideally arriving early for tours and spending more time in match environments. Of course, these things depend on team management, but hopefully, such planning happens.”

Both Rohit and Kohli, now in their mid-thirties, continue to play key roles in India’s white-ball setup. However, with the next ICC ODI World Cup still two years away, questions remain over whether the two stalwarts will feature in the team’s long-term plans.