Ravichandran Ashwin and I have always shared a strong rapport. Our conversations often go beyond the surface—we discuss, debate, and even disagree. That’s the beauty of talking cricket with Ashwin. It was no different when we recently spoke about the upcoming England–India Test series.
Midway through our discussion, I raised the topic of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma not being part of the squad. I remarked that Virat, in particular, would be missed—not just for his runs, but for what he represented. He has long been an ambassador for Test cricket, someone who consistently prioritized the format. Now, that responsibility would have to fall on the shoulders of the new generation—players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant.
Ashwin, as always, offered a broader perspective.
“I don’t think anyone who has played the game, or will play it, is ever bigger than the game itself,” he said. “Nobody walking onto the field is doing something for the game. The game does something for them—good or bad. I love Virat, he’s had a fantastic career and left the game in a great place. But now, it’s time for someone else to take it forward.”
He didn’t stop there.
“What excites me now is watching the hunger and mindset of players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel. Can they match the same intensity and passion that Virat Kohli or Sachin Tendulkar showed every time they stepped onto the field? That’s the aspiration. That’s how the game evolves. And everyone in the team must take on that responsibility.”
Ashwin’s point was clear and compelling: no player, no matter how iconic, transcends the game. Yes, Virat and Rohit made defining contributions. But even in their absence, the sport marches on. Stadiums will still be packed. The matches will still be fiercely contested. Reports already suggest that almost all days of the five-Test series are sold out, with only a few seats available for days four and five.
That’s the magic of red-ball cricket in England—and even more so when India is involved.
“The sport has a rich history,” Ashwin added. “There will always be greats—be it Tendulkar, Kohli, or someone else. But the game doesn’t stop. Players come and go. New stars emerge. That’s why I’m so invested in this series. I want to see if these young players are ready to take up the mantle.”
And that’s what this moment is all about: the making of the next great Indian batter. Kohli is now part of the game’s history. Could Gill or Jaiswal be the future? A five-Test tour of England is a golden opportunity—one that can define careers.
Look at South Africa. On the verge of chasing 282 against Australia—something few expected. But Aiden Markram believed. Temba Bavuma believed. And now, they’re on the brink of something special.
Gill and Pant should take note. It can be done.
And if they rise to the occasion, Ashwin will smile—not just for the team’s success, but for the enduring power and beauty of the game itself.
