BCCI President Sourav Ganguly opened up on Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup 2021 squad. Ashwin played his last T20I for India nack in 2017 before making a comeback into the shortest format of the game. Despite India’s forgettable campaign, Ashwin showcased his class as he was amongst the wickets in the tournament.
Speaking on the chat show ‘Backstage with Boria’, Sourav Ganguly opened up Ashwin’s inclusion saying that ut was Virat Kohli who asked him to include the veteran off-spinner inthe team. Kohli stepped down as the T20I skipper following the end of the tournament.
“I wasn’t sure whether he would be part of the white-ball team again. But then Virat Kohli wanted him to be part of the World Cup. And, whatever little bit of opportunity he got, I thought he was superb.”
Backstage with Boria with @SGanguly99 this Thursday. Here is the second promo clip and this one is on @ashwinravi99 By the way I think he should be a serious contender for vice captaincy. Look at his record, his game reading is excellent. In aus he was one of our leaders. #BWB pic.twitter.com/eEj8hwu1Hv
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 14, 2021
Hailing Ravichandran Ashwin’s credentials as a bowler, Sourav Ganguly said that he is a matchwinner for India across formats and has been a part of winning teams for India.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Test Record Is Phenomenal: Sourav Ganguly
“Look at his Test record, it is phenomenal. It does not need me to say Ravichandran Ashwin is exceptional. His record and his performances show it. And you can’t ignore such players. You cannot just turn your eyes and say that he’s gone. I am not surprised with what he is doing.”
Ashwin went past Harbhajan Singh’s tally of Test wickets in the series against New Zealand. He is eyeing up to go past Kapil Dev in the Test series against South Africa.
“I don’t see a reason why (I shouldn’t back him). Look at the number of winning teams he has been a part of. 2011 World Cup, he was part of the winning team for India. 2013, when he won the Champions Trophy, he was a leading bowler in that tournament. When CSK won IPLs, he was the main bowler for them, bowling in the powerplay and difficult situations.”
Ravi Ashwin now holds the record of taking 50 Test wickets in a calendar year most number of times for India. He's taken 50 or more wickets for the 4th time.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 5, 2021
Ashwin has claimed 427 wickets in 81 matches at an average of 24.12. He also has 150 ODI and 61 T20I scalps to his name till now.
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