Indian World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar feels that veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will play a huge role for the Indian team in the forthcoming ODI World Cup. Gavaskar believes that the Men in Blue have got three world-class pace bowlers in their bowling lineup heading into the mega event in the country.
Ashwin was picked for the India ODI team for the Australia series and he made the most of his opportunities producing some good performances for the team. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder was picked in the squad in place of the injured Axar Patel and is expected to play a vital role for the team in spin-friendly conditions.
During a conversation with Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar feels that India has got a world-class operator with the new ball going into the World Cup.
Besides, he believes that Jasprit Bumrah will come back stronger after going for some runs in the final ODI against Australia and added that Ashwin’s presence in the middle overs will be key for the Men in Blue in the marquee event.
“To start with the new ball there is Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami…I don’t know if all three of them will play in the World Cup, but these three are world-class bowlers. We saw Bumrah take a little bit of a hammering in Rajkot against Australia. He is too experienced a bowler to repeat those mistakes.
“But that is not to worry. It is the middle overs which is…we saw what good pitch this was so players can play through the line when the ball is not deviating or turn or bounce. And this is where Ashwin with his experience and his canniness will play as a key factor,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
The 37-year-old can be lethal against the left-hand batters in the ODI World Cup if provided an opportunity, as most top teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, and Pakistan have more left-handed batters and his experience can come in handy for the team in on and off the field throughout the World Cup.
I’m Not Sure If They Will Play Him In The XI For Big Matches – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar feels that Ravichandran Ashwin might not start every game for India in the World Cup due to the presence of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. He believes that he has the ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs which could be vital for the team to restrict for the low total in the mega event.
“I’m not sure if they will play him in the XI for the big matches but he is the kind of bowler who can actually get you wickets in the middle overs, and that doesn’t allow partnerships to build and subsequently, a team can be restricted to a low total,” Sunil Gavaskar added.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to play as two front-line spinners for India in the World Cup, and the Indian think tank could be tempted to bring in Ravichandran Ashwin as the third spinner in the team on conditions favouring the spin.