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Ashwin Lambasts Indian Team Over Continued Absence Of Arshdeep In Playing XI
Follow UsIndia have preferred Harshit Rana over Arshdeep lately because of his batting ability
Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has openly voiced his frustration with the selection strategy of the Indian team after the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh was omitted from the playing XI, as the team has preferred Harshit Rana's batting at eight over the value provided by the left-arm pacer in T20I cricket. Ashwin argued on his YouTube channel that the decision raises serious questions about India's team combination in T20I cricket and questioned the strategy of preferring batting ability, even if it isn't very strong, over proper bowlers.
“Arshdeep has to come into the playing XI,” Ashwin said.
“In my view, if you can lock Shubman Gill as opener, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4 and Jasprit Bumrah at No. 11, then why can’t someone who has been your best T20 bowler be locked? These rules for batters and bowlers have always been an issue in my head.
“These decisions pertaining to bowlers are sometimes taken by batters. These batters have never bowled a ball in their entire life. Bowlers are doing that forever. It is hard for the batters to understand the mindset of the bowlers.”
Highlighting Arshdeep’s recent form, Ashwin also warned about the cost of benching him, as India are missing out on the death bowling expertise of Arshdeep, which he showed in ample measure during the Asia Cup.
“Think about the confidence in the bowlers. If you are consistently parking him out of the side because you want a No. 8, then think what he would go through. He is in a purple patch and bowling well. He is not going to get these wonderful years back,” Ashwin added.
“Even before the start of the Asia Cup, I was saying that Arshdeep Singh is mandatory in the playing XI. He once again proved my point. What a terrific finish to the game, the way with which he bowled the Super Over, he reiterated why he’s mandatory.”
The former Indian cricketer didn’t shy away from asking the bowling fraternity to take more pride in their skill.
“Why are you writing his destiny, just because he can’t bat? I want to say this to the bowling community. If we don’t have pride within our community, then no one would take us seriously. If we are made to sit out, then we should be angry,” the off-spinner said.