“Why are we not getting to see this in Tests?” - Former teammate’s huge remark on Virat Kohli’s retirement amid IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin empathized with the fans' uproar over rumors of Virat Kohli's potential return to Test cricket amid some troubling times, but asserted that the player's wish is paramount and final. Ahead of the first ODI against South Africa, rumors emerged that the former skipper might be keen on reversing his retirement, but it was debunked by the player himself soon after.

Virat Kohli had announced his Test retirement before the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) began. His shocking decision marked the start of a major transition for the red-ball team as senior figures like Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin had also stepped away during the same timeframe.

However, in light of recent events, there have been some serious questions raised over the credibility of the newcomers' ability to handle the rigors of Test match cricket. Team India recently suffered a shambolic 0-2 loss in the home Test series against South Africa, marking their second series loss on home soil in the space of 12 months.

Virat Kohli was questioned about a potential return to Tests during the post-match presentation after his record 52nd ODI hundred in Ranchi, but the centurion stated that he intends to continue playing only one format.

R Ashwin explained how Virat Kohli's decision to retire must have been taken after some serious thinking, and it is unlikely that he will backtrack under any circumstances.

"I'm very sure a player like Virat, when he retired from Tests, he is very clear that he wanted to retire. Nobody makes instinctive decisions. As fans, we all want to see Virat Kohli. The way he batted yesterday, fans will think that he is still in prime shape and form, and why are we not getting to see this in Tests? He has already made his decision in Test cricket. So, let's just make one thing very clear, the decision has already been taken, so revisiting that constantly is not the right way," R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin also explained how the return of former players does not make sense from the team's point of view, as they have already committed to the transition phase.

"Already so many players have come, and the team has already gone into transition. It is about moving forward. I will say one thing though, whatever days that are left for us to enjoy watching Rohit and Virat watch, please let's do it. Let's celebrate them as long as they are playing. It is very important that we realise that the time is less," Ashwin added.

After failing to qualify for the 2023-25 World Test Championship, Team India are in a spot of bother in the ongoing cycle as well. At the halfway stage, following the series loss to the Proteas, they are now placed fifth in the table, and face an uphill battle in the remainder of the cycle.

"That is very encouraging" - R Ashwin on Harshit Rana's crucial spell in IND vs SA 2025 1st ODI

While Virat Kohli claimed the spotlight with his exceptional innings, right-arm pacer Harshit Rana also made a statement with his brilliant new ball exhibition in the second innings.

Moving the ball under the lights, he dismissed both Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in the space of a couple of deliveries in his first over to reduce South Africa to 7-2 in the run chase.

Ashwin hailed how Rana was getting the ball to move under the lights, and this performance comes across as a major boost for both the player and the team.

"Harshit Rana's spell was decisive. He took advantage of the temperature drop. What stood out from his spell was that he always gets the ball to swing in to the right-hander, but yesterday, with the new ball, he was showing outswing shape for the right-hander and inswing for the left-hander. That is very encouraging, not only from Harshit Rana's side, but from the Indian team's side as well," Ashwin said.

"A player is showing improvement, he is showing that he is developing skills, not only hitting the deck hard, but also doing this. With the new ball, he was fabulous yesterday, and I think he will only get better with the older ball and death bowling as time rolls along," he added.

Harshit Rana finished with figures of 3-65 off his 10 overs, as he picked up the crucial wicket of Dewald Brevis as well in the middle overs. The youngster is finding his groove in ODIs after ending up as the leading wicket-taker in the ODI series against Australia recently. He has taken 19 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.89 and an economy of 5.93.