Kohli's Impact on ODI Cricket: Insights from R Ashwin

In recent discussions about ODI cricket, R Ashwin highlighted the critical role Virat Kohli plays in the current cricket landscape. With the rise of T20 franchise leagues, traditional formats like ODIs are witnessing a decline in popularity. Ashwin believes that Kohli and Rohit Sharma are essential to generating interest in the ongoing India vs Australia ODI series, making them significant marketing assets.

According to Ashwin, “Virat Kohli’s marketing is very important for the game and for himself. There is not much of a welcome for ODI series these days, so how else will you sell it?” He noted that the return of these star players is likely the highest selling point, which has been successfully capitalized on, leading to over 1,75,000 tickets sold for the series.

However, in the first ODI, both Kohli and Rohit didn’t perform well, raising concerns about their readiness. Ashwin mentioned, “It is difficult to go and straight away perform. They have not played any cricket, no match practice.” Despite the packed stands in Adelaide, the unpredictability of cricket means they could struggle again.

To mitigate pressure, Ashwin advised, “At this point of time don’t let them feel the pressure. Let them enjoy.” He believes that allowing Kohli and Rohit to play freely is crucial for extracting their best performance.

When it comes to their careers, Ashwin pointed out that Kohli has already achieved everything in cricket, while Rohit’s focus may still be the World Cup. “What is important for Indian cricket right now? To translate his knowledge and experience and pass it well to the other players,” Ashwin concluded. He emphasized the need to utilize Kohli's vast experience effectively to help win future tournaments, suggesting that enjoyment should be prioritized in their approach to the game.