If the idea behind naming Ravichandran Ashwin in the T20 World Cup squad was to use his expertise, Aakash Chopra believes India should have played him. The former Indian batsman questioned the think-decision tank’s to sideline the off-spinner after he was unexpectedly selected for white-ball cricket.
Since 2017, Ashwin hasn’t played a limited-overs cricket for India. Nonetheless, he was a late addition to the 15-man T20 World Cup roster. Against Pakistan and New Zealand, India, on the other hand, decided to use mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. In both games, the 30-year-old was wicketless.
Therefore, Chopra agreed that Ashwin should have been in the XI once he was selected, in response to a fan question on his YouTube channel. Otherwise, it would have been pointless to choose him.
Ravichandran Ashwin
“Ravichandran Ashwin should definitely have been picked in the XI. He was selected in the squad in the first place because of his experience. What is the point of having experience on the bench? Even if the team had picked a 15-year-old and had kept him on the bench, it really wouldn’t have mattered. Experience can be utilized only if the player is part of the team and the playing XI. If you wanted R Ashwin’s experience so desperately, for sure you should have played him in the XI. There was no point in selecting him otherwise.” He stated
Chopra went on to say that the management of a seasoned player like Ashwin would undoubtedly raise eyebrows.
Incredibly, the 35-year-old, who is India’s top spin bowler in the longer format, did not play a single Test during the tour to England.
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