Parthiv Patel, the former keeper-batter reckons veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is unlikely to feature for India at the upcoming 2022 T20I World Cup in Australia. He added that Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav are better attacking options to complement Yuzvendra Chahal at the ICC event.
The 35-year-old Ravichandran Ashwin was a surprise selection in the 1st T20I of the ongoing T20I series in the West Indies. Before the first T20I in Trinidad on Friday (July 29), his last match in the format for India came in November last year.
Ravichandran Ashwin impressed in the opening T20I against the Windies, registering figures of 2-22 in his four overs. Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi made an equally good impact, claiming 2-26.
Parthiv Patel Wants To See Ravi Bishnoi Play 2nd T20I Ahead Of Ravichandran Ashwin Who May Not Be In 2022 T20I WC Squad
The Men in Blue went in with three spinners in Trinidad as the surface assisted slow bowling. However, that’s unlikely to be the case in the second game at St Kitts on Monday (August 1). Asked which spinner should play if India have to choose between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi, Parthiv Patel picked the latter.
Parthiv Patel didn’t shy away from suggesting that the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi bring more variety into the game, being wrist-spinners, than Ravichandran Ashwin does.
Explaining his choice, the former wicketkeeper said: “I see Bishnoi playing ahead of Ashwin in the next game (if India decide to go with two spinners). I don’t see Ashwin playing the T20 World Cup, to be honest.
“I would want variety in Kuldeep Yadav, Bishnoi and (Yuzvendra) Chahal. Wrist spinners give that attacking option in between. Ashwin doesn’t give you that.”
While Yuzvendra Chahal has been rested for the T20I series in West Indies, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is part of the squad but didn’t play the first match. Ravichandran Ashwin was part of India’s squad in the previous edition of the 2021 T20I World Cup in the UAE and played the last three games in the group stage.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s last T20I appearance had come last year during the home series against New Zealand. The Tamil Nadu-born off-spinner also produced a fine performance in the 1st T20I against West Indies, picking up 2 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs.
Parthiv Patel Surprised To See 3 Spinners Playing A T20I But Praised The Tactically Brilliant Move
In a rather surprising decision, India decided to play both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi along with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the opening T20I. The move worked wonders, as the trio bamboozled the Windies batters. Chasing 191, the hosts were restricted to 122-8.
Praising the visitors for their sharp decision-making, Parthiv Patel remarked: “Even in India, you don’t see three spinners playing in a T20 or a one-day game. Tactically, India have been brilliant throughout this tour.
“Even in the last ODI, when they came in to bat after rain, they thought (more) rain would come, and they played like that. Today also, tactically playing three spinners …”
The 37-year-old also hailed captain Rohit Sharma for his bowling changes and moves, saying that he has been on top of his game.
Parthiv Patel said: “He made sure the spinners bowled at different times. We saw Ravi Bishnoi bowling four overs together at the death.
“Ashwin and Jadeja bowled in the first six overs. Usually, we see Ashwin bowling with the new ball, but not Jadeja. But we saw Jadeja bowl because of two right-handed match-ups. Rohit was on top of his game.”
While Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi claimed two wickets apiece, Ravindra Jadeja cleaned up Jason Holder for a duck to end with figures of 1-26.