Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels Ravichandran Ashwin should not be picked for T20Is against New Zealand starting from November 17.
The off-spinner played his first T20I since July 2017, on Wednesday against Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He made a brilliant comeback, replacing the mystery-spinner Varun Chakravarthy in the playing XI. Ashwin conceded only 14 runs at an economy rate of 3.5 in four overs and took two crucial wickets.
In a video on Aakash Chopra’s Youtube Channel, the former cricketer was asked if Ashwin should be picked for the New Zealand T20Is, basis his performance against Afghanistan. Aakash responded:
“In my opinion, he should not be. I feel there is no need to play R Ashwin because you are not searching for anything from him. You know everything about Ashwin. He is a very good bowler and will do well whenever he comes.”
Ravichandran Ashwin has to play Tests, so rest him for T20Is against New Zealand: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra also pointed out that New Zealand will rest their key players, due to fatigue from back-to-back tournaments. The ICC T20 World Cup 2021 began just a few days after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League. Aakash said:
“New Zealand will rest some of their main players. They played the IPL first and then the World Cup, there will be some tiredness. It will also depend on where the team reaches and the same nucleus will play Test cricket as well.”
Similarly, the former cricketer stated that India should play other spinners and rest Ravichandran Ashwin for the T20I series. He expressed that even if the off-spinner is in India’s long-term scheme for the shortest format, he has to take a rest. Aakash said:
“Even Ashwin has to play Test cricket. So, I will say to make Ashwin rest. You can play Rahul Chahar, Yuzi (Yuzvendra) Chahal, Axar Patel, or Varun Chakravarthy – you can play anyone.”
“Even if he is in your scheme of things for the future, he will still have to leave this series because there are two Test matches after the three T20Is – back to back. The final here will be on the 14th and that series will start from the 17th, it is starting too early,” Aakash Chopra added.
The T20I series against New Zealand will be held in Jaipur, Ranchi, and Kanpur on November 17, 19, and 21 respectively. This will be followed by two Test matches at Kanpur and Mumbai.
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