Ravichandran Ashwin’s return to India’s white-ball squad after a 4-year hiatus might not be a long-term thing. As per a report, Ravichandran Ashwin may not be in the scheme of things as far as limited-overs internationals (ODIs, T20Is) are concerned. The selectors, reportedly, want to invest in multi-skilled players who are also quick in the field, unlike the off-spinner.
A change seems to be on the horizon for the Indian team, with a number of youngsters emerging to put a case for themselves, especially in white-ball cricket. The demand for the modern game has become multi-skilled, and hence, veterans like Ravichandran Ashwin are reportedly facing an uncertain future.
Ravichandran Ashwin of India. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Ravichandran Ashwin And Mohammed Shami May No Longer Find A Place In T20Is As Selectors Are Looking For More Agile And Multi Skilled Players
Though there’s no denying that Ravichandran Ashwin remains India’s No. 1 spinner in Tests, his place in India’s T20I and ODI teams could be under threat. As per a report, players like Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin could be on their way out of India’s T20I side. While Mohammed Shami is expected to be a part of the ODI team, there might not be a place for Ravichandran Ashwin in the 50-over format too.
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami (Photo | PTI)
The report claims that the selectors are keen to include more multi-skilled players in the team, especially those who are also agile. Ravichandran Ashwin, who is 35 years old at the moment, isn’t one of the sharpest players in the field. It is for this reason that he could see his return to India’s white-ball scheme being short-lived.
The Tamil Nadu-born spinner last featured for India in a T20I against New Zealand. He didn’t make it to the T20I side in the following series against West Indies and Sri Lanka. Even his last ODI for the Men in Blue came against South Africa in January this year.
Ravichandran Ashwin Made A Comeback In T20I World Cup 2021 And Has To Play Well In IPL 2022 To Be Selected Again In The Shorter Formats
It was only in the recent T20I World Cup 2021 that Ravichandran Ashwin had made a return to India’s white-ball team, ending his 4-year-long exodus from limited-overs internationals, thanks to his consistent performance in the Indian Premier League.
Delhi Capitals player Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo | IPL)
With the 15th edition of the IPL on the cusp, Ravichandran Ashwin has another opportunity to prove why he still deserves to get an extended run-in, especially in the T20I spectrum. Ravichandran Ashwin had made a surprise entry to India’s T20I squad for the T20I World Cup 2021. If he goes on to have a productive IPL 2022, the selectors might find it hard to phase him out of the T20I side. If not, the selectors’ job could become easier.
Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the star additions to Rajasthan Royal’s squad as he was bought by the inaugural IPL champions for INR 5 crore after an aggressive bidding war with Delhi Capitals-his former franchise.
The off-spinner has played 113 ODI matches and 51 T20 Internationals since he made his debut against Sri Lanka in an ODI match in Harare in 2010. He shares 212 wickets across both formats. He has picked 145 scalps in 167 IPL games averaging 27.8. He has played for Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Rising Pune Supergiantsand Delhi Capitals before Rajasthan Royals.
Ravichandran Ashwin last played white-ball cricket for India in 2017 before being recalled in 2021 T20I World Cup as he was being sidelined from limited-overs cricket following the Champions Trophy 2017 debacle.
He picked 9 wickets in 5 T20Is averaging 11.66 at a economy of 5.25 and a strike rate of 13.3 since his comeback in T20Is, but picked only 1 wicket in 2 ODIs against South Africa.
