Ashwin feels Mumbai Indians should quickly bring Rohit into their coaching setup once the former India captain decides to retire. He believes Rohit’s experience as a five-time IPL-winning captain and his success with India make him an invaluable asset for the franchise.
“If tomorrow Rohit decides ‘I won’t play,’ Mumbai Indians should immediately absorb him. A captain who won five titles and led India to a World Cup—you won’t find such people,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
However, Ashwin suggested that Rohit may prefer to avoid the demanding head coach position initially and could instead take a less intensive role after a short break. He compared the potential move with Rahul Dravid’s transition into coaching after taking time away from the game.
Rohit, currently 39, is targeting the 2027 ODI World Cup, which could potentially mark the final major tournament of his playing career. A coaching role could follow after his retirement from international cricket.
Ashwin, meanwhile, expects Virat Kohli to take a different approach. Unlike Rohit, Kohli may want to spend some time away from cricket before considering a coaching position.
“I don’t think Virat will be ready to become a coach immediately. I don’t know about Virat, honestly. Virat will probably want to take a break, in my opinion,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin’s comments suggest that while both Rohit and Kohli could eventually contribute to Indian cricket from the dugout, their journeys into coaching may look very different.
