Saqlain Mushtaq Questions Ravichandran Ashwin’s Absence In White-Ball Cricket
Apr 27, 2020 at 7:53 PM
It’s been close to three years since Ravi Ashwin played an ODI for India. His last outing in the 50-over format came against the West Indies in 2017. Since then the think-tank opted for wrist spinners in the face of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
The duo did reasonably well, and that kept both Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja out of the reckoning in ODIs. However, Jadeja was offered a chance of making a comeback. Thanks to his late flourish with the bat and the fact that he is one of the gun fielders in the side.
Is Ravi Ashwin’s white-ball career over?
A comeback in the Asia Cup in 2018 helped the all-rounder cement his place once again as he went on to play in the 2019 World Cup. However, the same can’t be said about Ashwin. Kuldeep and Chahal were instrumental in India winning the ODI series against South Africa at their backyard last time around. Both have been part of numerous match-winning spells in the last couple of years.
I was surprised at Ravi Ashwin’s snub in ODIs: Saqlain Mushtaq
Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq isn’t too amused about Ashwin being just a Test specialist. He feels the ‘classy’ spinner should represent India in limited-overs cricket also. According to Saqlain, Ashwin is capable of picking wickets as he has a proven record in red-ball cricket.
“Class is permanent whether you are a finger-spinner or wrist-spinner. Your skills, game reading abilities matter a lot. I was surprised when Ashwin was sidelined from one-day cricket. He knows how to get batsman out in the five-day game, which is much tougher than limited-overs cricket.” Mushtaq told NDTV.
Saqlain also observed that India under Virat Kohli tried too many spinners in the last three years. He added that Ashwin was roped into the side in place of veteran Harbhajan Singh. And the move to snub Ashwin in ODIs has backfired.