Graeme Swann on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's Future and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes the growing discussion around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future is an unavoidable part of elite sport, especially when a new generation of talent is beginning to make headlines. Although India still have two ODIs left in their ongoing series against Afghanistan, attention is already shifting towards the challenges that lie ahead, including the upcoming three-match ODI tour of England in July and preparations for next year's ODI World Cup.

Speaking to PTI, Swann said that speculation about successors is something every great player faces, regardless of current form. "Absolutely. I think it's inevitable with any player when you come to the latter stage of your career, the second half of your career, if you like, that people naturally start looking for your successor, no matter how well you do," Swann said. "And even if you're at the top of your game, they're still looking like, who will be the next Virat? Who will be the next Rohit when they go? That's very natural. "And the second you have one or two low scores, everyone starts looking over your shoulder and seeing who's next in line. "And obviously, with Sooryavanshi coming through and some of the youngsters, it puts even more onus on the guys, especially at the top of the order for India."

Swann feels the next few weeks could be particularly significant for Rohit Sharma as India continue to balance experienced campaigners with emerging stars. "So I think it's a huge six weeks for Rohit. But like I said, in the IPL, he looks in great touch and he's still one of the best players going, let's face it. "So if I was an English bowler, I wouldn't really want to bowl against a Rohit Sharma who's desperate to prove a point and keep his place."

India's ODI series in England is already attracting considerable interest, and Swann expects Rohit and Kohli to remain at the centre of the spotlight. "Yeah, it's going to be huge. Anytime England play India, it's a massive series, especially recently. "And with all the nonsense going on in England as well, I think they'll really appreciate a bit of spotlight going on the actual cricket rather than off the field stuff."

When asked which of India's veteran stars would be under greater scrutiny heading into the series and the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, Swann highlighted Kohli's outstanding IPL campaign. The 37-year-old amassed 675 runs in 16 matches during IPL 2026, reinforcing his status as one of the world's premier batters. At the same time, Swann rejected suggestions that the England series should be viewed as a decisive audition for India's senior stars ahead of the next World Cup.

"From an English point of view, England will hope that Virat and Rohit are sidetracked by a World Cup coming and not thinking about that because that will affect performance. "India have got to make sure they're not sidetracked by that. But this is Rohit and Virat. They know what they're doing and they'll go out there. "It should be, touch wood, should be dry and the ball shouldn't do too much at that time. "The white ball tends to be easier to bat against than the red ball in England. So it could be very good batting conditions for both of them, which doesn't augur very well for England."

The conversation also turned to the player many view as the future of Indian cricket. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is on the verge of an international debut after receiving a call-up for India's T20I tour of Ireland and England following his extraordinary IPL season. Swann admitted he has been deeply impressed by the teenager's rapid development.

"Yes, he's a special talent. Like I said earlier, I wouldn't want to bowl him. "He's at that age that he's completely fearless because he's not had failure. "But, you know, having done well before and big runs in the under-19s, going into the IPL and people saying, you know, after he got a couple of starts and then you remember people bowled yorkers and said, 'Oh, we've found him out.' "You can't do it time and time and time again against world-class bowlers. "But he got better and better as the IPL went on. "And those couple of 90s in the playoffs, they were ridiculous. "I was there for one of them, the one in Chandigarh. It was the most audacious knock from a 15-year-old kid. "He is world-class and I'm glad I'm not playing anymore."