Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was recalled to the Indian T20I squad for the five-match series against West Indies, after an eight-month absence. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 just two months away, many fans and former cricketers have expressed their surprise regarding Ashwin’s comeback to the team. Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth also expressed his thoughts on the same.
Before the West Indies series, Ravichandran Ashwin last played a T20I for India in a home series against New Zealand. So far he has performed well in the T20Is against West Indies, in this comeback series. He has taken three wickets in as many matches at an average of 26.66. Ashwin has conceded 80 runs at an economy rate of 6.66.
Speaking about Ashwin’s chances of playing T20 in the World Cup, Kris Srikkanth expressed that he is confused why the spinner was recalled to the team. He pointed out that Ashwin was not part of India’s plans for the last eight months, and is suddenly being brought back.
“It is a big question. Regarding Ashwin, I am totally confused. Why was he not dropped, then why was he not there? Then why was he not playing the T20 in England? Suddenly why is he in the T20s for the West Indies? It is confusing for all of us,” said Srikkanth on Fan Code.
My first option would be Yuzvendra Chahal: Kris Srikkanth
Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth further expressed that Yuzvendra Chahal will be his first option ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin for the T20 World Cup. He also added that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is a certainty in the team. Kris Srikkanth stated that Ashwin’s ability to contribute with the bat too may have earned him a chance.
“Because your first spinner is Jadeja. The second is Chahal or Axar Patel or Ashwin or there will be a reserve spinner. Out of these four, only two will go. Ideally…don’t know Ashwin…maybe because of his all-rounder capabilities. But my first option would be Chahal. He is the wrist spinner,” he explained.
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