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'Nobody is higher than the game itself': Ashwin reminds fans after Virat Kohli projected as Test saviour
Veteran spinner R Ashwin has said no player, including Virat Kohli, is bigger than the game of cricket. His comment comes after Kohli was hailed as the ambassador and saviour of Test cricket following his retirement from longest format. read more
Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a powerful statement about Virat Kohli's role in Test cricket, saying that no player is ever bigger than the game. Kohli was being projected as Test cricket's saviour by a section of fans and experts following his retirement from the longest format last month.
Ashwin speaks on Kohli's influence
In a recent chat with RevSportz, Ashwin was asked about Kohli being referred to as an 'ambassador' of Test cricket. Ashwin reminded fans that no player who has played the game or will play the game is higher than the game itself, not even Kohli. Ashwin said that Kohli, like everybody else, played the game and left it in a great place, and it is now for future generations to take it forward.
'I do not think anybody who has played the game, or will play the game, is higher than the game itself. Nobody that walks the park does good for the game – the game does good or bad by them. I love Virat, but he has come, played the game, left the game, left it at a great place. And now, it is for someone else to take it forward,' Ashwin said.
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Kohli was praised for his passion, aggression, and fitness culture during his time as India's Test captain. Many fans and experts believed that he gave Test cricket a new energy, especially at a time when limited-overs formats were gaining more popularity. His leadership style and love for the red-ball game earned him admiration worldwide.
Even after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier this month, Kohli talked about his love and respect for Test cricket. He said that winning his maiden IPL title will always be five levels below Test cricket. His comments received a lot of praise from Test cricket fans across the globe.
However, Ashwin suggested that Test cricket has survived for over a hundred years and will continue to thrive with or without any one player. Ashwin is not wrong in saying that, but what Kohli has done for the game is also commendable. Apart from Kohli, former captain Rohit Sharma also stepped down from Test cricket recently.
India are slated to play their first Test series without the services of Ashwin, Kohli, or Rohit against England, starting 20 June. The first match is scheduled to take place at Headingley, Leeds.
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