People naturally start looking for your successor: Graeme Swann

India may still have two ODIs remaining against Afghanistan, but conversations about the future are never far away when it comes to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes that is simply the reality facing every great player in the latter stages of their career, arguing that even the most accomplished cricketers cannot escape questions about who comes next.

With India set to travel to England in July for a three-match ODI series following the Afghanistan assignment, Swann observed that scrutiny surrounding Rohit and Kohli is only natural as a younger generation begins to emerge. “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 told PTI Videos in an exclusive interview. 

“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 believes the coming weeks could prove significant for Rohit as India continue balancing established stars with emerging talent.

“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.”

While discussions around India’s veterans continue, Swann believes both Rohit and Kohli remain formidable propositions for opposition bowlers.

Asked about India’s upcoming ODI assignment in England, the former off-spinner said the series would once again bring the spotlight onto two of the game’s biggest names. “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.” Asked which of the two veterans would attract greater attention heading into the series in light of the ODI World Cup next year in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Swann pointed to Kohli’s remarkable 2026 IPL campaign as the 37-year-old scored 675 runs from 16 matches.