Follow UsFormer Indian World Cup Winner in 1983 and Tamil Nadu stalwart Kris Srikkanth has questioned Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling in the ongoing 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ashwin has taken only five wickets in seven games of the season so far at an economy of 9.3 and a poor average of 44.6.
“What is Ashwin doing? He has turned completely defensive," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’.
"He is not looking to take wickets. It's like, 'Let me just get through these four overs.' He never went for wicket-taking. He is just bowling safe.”
He questioned Ashwin’s selection in the game against Mumbai Indians which CSK lost by nine wickets at the Wankhede. Ashwin gave only 25 runs in his four overs as the impact player, but failed to pick any wickets which was the need of the hour in the second innings.
“What was the idea of picking Ashwin today? To get two wickets and win the match. But what did he do? He bowled safely in the powerplay,” Srikkanth said.
"It didn’t matter to CSK at all. MI were also sensible, taking singles off him. You have to understand the match situation, the IPL situation – and bowl accordingly.”
Notably, Srikkanth has also questioned how CSK have used Ashwin and his bowling right from the beginning of the 2025 season.
“With regards to Ashwin, don’t drop him, but stop him from bowling in the powerplay. Between the 7th and 18th over, he can be effective. With Jadeja and Noor Ahmad, they can easily bowl 10 overs at least,” Srikkanth suggested earlier.