Sanjay Manjrekar is upset that people are focusing too much on Ravichandran Ashwin’s T20 bowling abilities. On Thursday, the former batsman stated that he will never have someone like Ashwin in his T20 team. Then preferring instead to have “wicket-takers” like Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine.
Sanjay Manjrekar made his remarks shortly after Delhi Capitals (DC) were defeated by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). By three wickets in IPL 2021 Qualifier 2 on Wednesday night. Ashwin, who came in early, was frugal in his first three overs and took two wickets in the KKR chase’s 20th over. However, under pressure, Rahul Tripathi struck a half-tracker for a straight six to help KKR win the game.
“We have spent far too much talking about Ashwin. Ashwin, the T20 bowler, is not a great force in any team. And if you want Ashwin to change. I don’t think that’s going to happen because he’s been like this for the last five-seven years. I can understand us dwelling on Ashwin in Test matches where he’s fantastic. He’s not playing a single Test match in England was a travesty. But to spend so much time on Ashwin when it comes to IPL and T20 cricket.” said Sanjay Manjrekar
Varun Chakravarthy
“I think he has shown us in the last five years that he’s bowled exactly the same and I would never have somebody like Ashwin in my team because if I got turning pitches, I would expect people like Varun Chakravarthy or Sunil Narine or [Yuzvendra] Chahal and how they do their job, they get you wickets,” he added
Sanjay Manjrekar also stated that if Ashwin only focuses on limiting runs. Then no franchise will want to keep him on their club.
“Ashwin has not been a wicket-taker in T20 cricket for long and I don’t think a franchise wants Ashwin in the team just to keep the runs down.” He explained
Before the Qualifier, Ashwin was chastised as well. With the ball, he had his poorest season in IPL 2021, taking only seven wickets at an average of 47.29. Former cricketers such as Gautam Gambhir have counseled him to stick to his stock ball and avoid over-experimenting in order to be successful.
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