Saba Karim is confident that the new coach Rahul Dravid-headed team management will communicate their plans clearly with star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin if they intend to drop him from playing XI for the impending Test series against South Africa.
While speaking on YouTube channel Khelneeti, Saba Karim pointed out that it was difficult to convince a cricketer like Ravichandran Ashwin that he would be dropped. He suggested that a different approach has to be adopted while dealing with the seasoned campaigner.
Saba Karim: It Is Very Difficult To Convince Ravichandran Ashwin To Be Dropped
Ravichandran Ashwin is currently 12th on the list of most wicket-takers, having already picked up over 420 wickets(426 scalps in 81 Tests) over his 11-year-long Test career. The tweaker recently turned 35 years old and played a vital role in the two-match Test series against New Zealand where he was awarded Man of the Series, finishing as the 2nd highest wicket-taker after Ajaz Patel (17) but his 14 scalps came at a better average of 11.36.
“I’m sure the previous team management would also have tried their best to explain to Ravichandran Ashwin the reason for not picking him for the team’s overseas matches. But it is very difficult to convince Ashwin. A different kind of communication is needed to convince him. I’m confident that his management will surely communicate well if such decisions need to be taken yet again.”
The crafty spinner has established himself as a vital cog in India’s red-ball line-up with consistent performances over the years. This is why many had questioned his non-selection during Virat Kohli-led India’s tour of England earlier this year.
Besides being India’s third-highest wicket-taker in Tests, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also scored 2755 runs from 81 Tests. Ravichandran Ashwin achieved the haul of 50 Test wickets for the fourth time in a year and managed to pick 300 wickets at home, becoming the 2nd Indian bowler to do so after Anil Kumble.
Ravichandran Ashwin is dominant in the subcontinent with his turn and variety of bowling variations to trick the opposition batters. In the series, he also surpassed Harbhajan Singh’s tally of 417 Test wickets to become India’s third-highest wicket-taker in the format.
Saba Karim: Ravichandran Ashwin Is India’s Premier Spinner
Saba Karim added that it will become difficult to drop the off-spinner against South Africa, considering he has been in spectacular form in recent times. Notably, Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 14 wickets in the home series against New Zealand and was also named the player of the series.
“Both performance and conditions matter a lot and you ought to play an in-fom player. Ashwin is your premier spinner and it will be tough to drop him in South Africa.”
Saba Karim pointed out that Ravichandran Ashwin has emerged as a matchwinner, especially in home conditions. This is why he becomes an automatic selection when India is the host. However, he stated that the same was not the case for overseas assignments.
The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that India prefers playing five bowlers including a solitary spinner when they tour abroad. Ravindra Jadeja gets the nod over Ravichandran Ashwin for the spinner’s spot because of his superior batting abilities, according to the former keeper Saba Karim.
“When go out overseas in seaming conditions, then India’s template is to play with 5 bowlers with 4 seamers and 1 spinner. They need a good all-rounder at number 7, as they are playing with just 6 genuine batters. This is why Jadeja is preferred in overseas conditions. But I believe you need bowlers who can get you breakthroughs, which is why I feel Ashwin should get a chance in South Africa as well,” said Karim.
However, Ravindra Jadeja has a ligament tear while Axar Patel has a stress fracture ahead of the Proteas tour and may not be selected as their injuries may take a long time to heal. India will play against the Proteas in three Tests and as many ODI matches with the tour starting on December 26.