Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a comeback to India’s T20I squad for the five-match T20I series against West Indies. His return indicates that the spinner might be in India’s plans for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. However, former India cricketer Parthiv Patel feels that Ravichandran Ashwin is not in the scheme of things for the upcoming mega-event.
India has persisted with Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja in the spin bowling department for most of the T20Is this year. However, the selectors brought Ravichandran Ashwin into the team, as Yuzvendra Chahal has been rested.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Parthiv Patel expressed that Ravi Bishnoi should be in the team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin. He added that he does not see the veteran off-spinner playing the global tournament this year. Parthiv Patel said,
“You can play two wrist spinners, why not? India went with that theory with Kuldeep and Chahal in the past. Also, Bishnoi is a different type of spinner than Chahal, he bowls more googlies, and he is like an off-spinner. If you ask me, I would play Bishnoi in place of Ashwin, I don’t see Ashwin playing the T20 World Cup.”
Ashwin does not give you attacking option: Parthiv Patel
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi had a good outing in the first T20I against West Indies on Friday. They picked a couple of wickets each in the match, as India registered a 68 runs victory. Former India cricketer Parthiv Patel further expressed that Ravichandran Ashwin does not provide India the attacking option in the bowling attack, like leg-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi.
“I want variety in the form of Kuldeep and Bishnoi as well with Chahal as the first choice. Wrist spinners give you that attacking option in between. Ashwin does not give you that attacking option according to me,” said Parthiv Patel.
Since the 2021 T20 World Cup, Ravichandran Ashwin has claimed 11 wickets in six T20I matches. Overall, he has represented India in 52 T20I matches. The spinner has taken 63 wickets at an average of 20.95 and an economy rate of 6.76. He has two four-wicket hauls to his name in the format for India.
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