No personal grudges with ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who’s such a proud character on and off-the-field; he is class apart and a world-class slow bowler donning coveted jersey of the Men in Blue, but his bowling average in One-day Internationals off late suggests he is unfortunately a misfit for the English conditions during the clash of the history between India-Pakistan, owing to the high-octane final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
As India is scheduled to play a blockbuster grand finale against resurgent Pakistan on June 18 at The Oval, a placid surface on offer; Virat Kohli would want his teammates to deliver their best against the Men in Green, as the surfaces have had offered more support to batsmen and fast bowlers which further saw slow bowlers tightening the grip in part.
Much improved fast bowler Umesh Yadav could replace Ashwin after picking six wickets in three matches which include three-wicket haul against Pakistan to see Sarfraz Ahmed-led side losing the match by 124 runs on June 4.
Adding to the surprise, fast bowler Mohammed Shami has also an opportunity to break into the Playing XI which highly looks unlikely, as formidable India has already a settled unit.
While talking about the Psychological factors where Pakistan has received a hit in the recent times, Shami could be a best for the last pace potent as he capable of ripping apart the fragile batting line-up of Pakistan, which interestingly has shown quality improvement against England in the semi-final.
Traditionally, the reason to sit out Ashwin could only be Pakistan having a decent record against slow bowlers while considering the fact of subcontinent teams playing spin bowling well.
Since past two years, Ashwin, a strong force to reckon seemingly has had lost the fizz in him in ODIs with the ball, which further saw him suffering from sports hernia.
Playing a role of trump card in Test cricket, the ideal choice in the long format Ravichandran Ashwin has been struggling with the white ball off late which usually didn’t support rank turners.
Interestingly, Ashwin has conceded 306 runs in 65.4 overs which included four maidens, as his best figures read three for 44 against Pakistan.
Not a perfect stat for the Ashwin-fans, the off-spinner has featured in two 50-over matches in 2016, in which he claimed just two wickets at an average of 64, as he gave away 128 runs, in 19 overs at an economy of 6.73.
Moreover, his stats have gone from bad to worse in 50-over format in 2017. In five matches he bagged four wickets at an unhealthy average of 71.25, which interestingly saw him claiming three wickets in a single match against England at Cuttack on January 19, 2017.
Coming to his strength, Ashwin, who has been using the crease well and he is a more sort of a walking computer while working literally on algorithms as he runs through his overs while containing the aggressive batsmen with his line and length.
Clear in his thoughts, Ashwin, who knows the science of the spin bowling, has been one of the keen professionals, who closely observe the game before trying out on handful of tricks for what he had practiced for hours followed by multiple days before converting them into months of a sheer hard work.
The lanky spinner has been playing a pivotal role for India particularly at home in the Test format.
The 30-year-old Chennai-born off-spinner Ashwin is having significant control over the ball but has further worked on his angles, variations and flight of the ball to bewilder the batsmen to their strength, in order to continue his place in the Test format.
Going through the rollercoaster ride, the smiling assassin Ravichandran Ashwin has unnerved best in business with the ball; as his stock ball has been much talked about carom ball that not only struggled batsmen but went on to witness numerous tantrums after opponents failed to make a count.
However, in last three ODIs, Ashwin was able to collect a solitary wicket against South Africa of Hashim Amla, in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.
Talking about the overall stats in the 50-over format, in 107 games, Ashwin has bagged 146 wickets at an average of 32.82 which included one four-wicket haul.
Moreover, in 16 matches in England, Ashwin has bagged 22 wickets at the average of 27.40, which suggests he is not a home track bully.
Since 2012 to 2015, Ashwin has featured in seven matches against Pakistan in which he has bagged 10 wickets an average of 30.60.
Ashwin has played seven matches in ICC Champions Trophy so far, in which he has bagged nine wickets at an average of 30.88, which further saw him sending down 60 overs, in which he conceded 278 runs.
Coming to the conclusion, India can’t ignore the services of stellar Ashwin, who has emerged at International stage with a bang after nursing himself under the tutelage of Mahendra Singh Dhoni which further saw him topping the ranking charts, before going through a lean patch in ODIs.