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Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up on one of the toughest phases senior cricketers face towards the end of their careers, saying there is no worse feeling than being made to feel "unwanted" by the team management. While reacting to the speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma's ODI future, Ashwin questioned the way experienced players are handled, insisting that clear communication is far more important than uncertainty.
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Drawing from his own experience before announcing his retirement during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ashwin said senior players struggle to perform once they sense they are no longer part of the team's long-term plans.
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Ashwin says players feel 'unwanted' when communication is lacking
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said that if the Indian team management had already decided against taking Rohit to the 2027 ODI World Cup, the decision should have been conveyed immediately after India's 2025 Champions Trophy triumph instead of allowing speculation to continue.
The former off-spinner said he could relate to the situation after experiencing something similar himself during India's tour of Australia in 2024-25.
Ashwin recalled that he had finished as the Player of the Series against Bangladesh at home before enduring a disappointing series against New Zealand. However, when India travelled to Australia, he felt the team management no longer wanted him around.
"When we went to Australia, I felt that the management did not want me there," Ashwin said.
According to Ravichandran Ashwin, players are unable to perform at their best once they begin feeling unwanted within the dressing room.
He further explained that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could find it difficult to produce their best cricket if they were made to feel they were no longer required by the management.
Ashwin remarked that such situations leave players emotionally drained, adding, "If Rohit and Virat do not feel wanted, they cannot perform at their best. Secondly, they feel so low about being there. Can you stay in a house where nobody wants you there?"
Ashwin backs Rohit and Kohli for 2027 World Cup
Despite Rohit Sharma's recent dip in form, Ashwin believes the veteran opener and Virat Kohli still have an important role to play in India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
The 39-year-old dismissed concerns over Rohit's performances, describing it as a temporary lean patch rather than a long-term decline. He argued that India's experienced campaigners would be invaluable on the fast and bouncy South African pitches.
R Ashwin also questioned the timing of the retirement debate, saying the management should have made its intentions clear much earlier if it had already decided to move on from Rohit Sharma.
He added that while such conversations can initially upset a player, honest communication ultimately helps them understand where they stand.
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Ravichandran Ashwin said he would have preferred being told directly during the Australia tour that he was no longer part of the team's plans, even if it had left him disappointed at first, because clarity is always better than uncertainty for any senior cricketer.
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