NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ODI future continues to make headlines, with former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin joining the conversation and weighing in on the BCCI and selection committee's decision to remove Rohit from the ODI captaincy.

Ashwin clarified that Rohit's captaincy should not even be up for debate, given that he led India to back-to-back ICC titles - the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy - but urged both Rohit and Kohli to participate in domestic cricket to show their commitment for the 2027 World Cup.

"There is nothing debatable to speak about Rohit's captaincy. But is he the direction for the 2027 World Cup? That will be the question asked by the selection committee and the coach. They obviously had a discussion, and two things might have emerged: one, Kohli and Rohit are not in our 2027 World Cup plans; two, if they are indeed included, can they maintain their form until the ICC tournament in 2027? Both are big questions," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"If you need their services, you have to find a way... you must give them the opportunity. If you have given them the chance and they said no, then it is clear. If the selector or the coach has told you that I want you to play this series, not for selection purposes, but only to get into the rhythm. It is only to show that they are serious about playing," he added.

Ashwin also emphasized that the selectors would not take lightly the exclusion of Rohit or Virat, given their vast experience.

"I don't think any selector or coach will have the heart to say that Virat and Rohit's services are no longer needed... You cannot go leading up to the World Cup with so many question marks," he said.

Ashwin also expressed his support for the selectors' decision to appoint Shubman Gill as India's ODI captain.

"The selectors might say that if Rohit remains captain and he is unfit in 2026, we will not have enough time to groom a new leader. From a selection perspective, they have taken a rational decision."