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‘He Won’t Fit The Bill’ - Ashwin Explains Why Parag Won’t Solve India’s Finishing Woes
Follow UsSo far this series, Jadeja and Sundar have proven to be liabilities down the order
It’s all square in the ODI series between India and South Africa heading into the series decider in Vizag on December 6 (Saturday), but the first two ODIs have highlighted India’s lower-order issues in the absence of Hardik Pandya.
Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja have operated at No.5 and No.7 respectively in this series for India, and together, the two left-handers have managed just 70 off 74 balls despite walking in with the platform already set.
The finishing issue especially hurt the side in the second ODI in Raipur as India managed 74 in their last 10 overs, with Sundar and Jadeja shockingly amassing just 25 off 35 balls. It proved costly as South Africa chased down 359 in the final over, breaking the back of the chase in the middle-overs.
In the aftermath of the first two games, Riyan Parag’s name has been thrown about as a potential solution, but Ravichandran Ashwin took to X to disagree with that sentiment.
“Riyan is a fine fine talent, he does have runs and averages 41 in list A cricket. At the moment, requirement is to come in at no 5 or 6, give the required thrust and fill in some overs, hence he won’t fit the bill because he hasn’t batted at that number for his franchisee or Assam,” Ashwin wrote on X.
“He started as a finisher for RR and that dint work, he succeeded as a good no 3/4.
“Ruturaj has now been given a chance at 4 and that seems out of position for some, but he has batted at 3 in the IPL over the last season or 2, which now looks like an effort to show how versatile he can be.
“Rutu’s instance could well be a case of communication from the selection front ( either coach, selector or anyone from the management ) or his decision.
“At this point of time Riyan needs to show that sort of versatility to be able to warrant a place at 5/6.”
Parag, who has one ODI and 9 T20Is under his belt, last played for India in October 2024. He’s currently in the midst of a horror Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign for Assam, with his scores reading 5, 15, 14, 0 & 5.