Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar backs Ravichandran Ashwin for being economical. However, Ashwin’s lack of ability to take wickets in the middle overs is still a concern. But, Ashwin being able to restrict runs will be a great complement to Yuzvendra Chahal.
Ashwin has been pretty well in the T-20I series against West Indies. Right now, India is leading West Indies by 2-1. The 35 years old bagged two wickets in the opening match. The match resulted into a win for India by 68 runs.
In Sports 18’s show “Sports Over The Top”, Manjrekar said,
“I think Ashwin’s selection on this tour (of West Indies) was an excellent one. In the last couple of years in the Indian T20 league, Ashwin has started making an impact. I like Ashwin when he’s with somebody like (Yuzvendra) Chahal. So, the onus is not on Ashwin to change the tide. You know, the spinner’s job in T20 cricket, in the middle phase is to get wickets like Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj do for South Africa.”
He even added,
“That’s where Ashwin lacked a bit as a T20 spinner. He focused a lot on the economy, but when you have somebody like Chahal, or if there’s another wicket-taking wrist spinner, then Ashwin becomes a great complement because Ashwin has mastered the art of being economical in T20 cricket. In the first T20, a couple of wickets was a great sign, but that’s what you’ll get with Ashwin, that complement the other main wicket-taking spinner in the team.”
Ashwin a sure shot, No space for Kul-Cha: predicts Manjrekar
Manjrekar also believes Ashwin’s inclusion in the T-20 World Cup Squad in Australia. However, India right now is not short of spinners. Having Axar Patel in hand, its no wonder that there will immense competition in the team. Yet, according to Manjrekar, Ashwin will have an upper hand.
“Who are his (Ashwin’s) competitors now? You’ve got Chahal who’s confirmed for spinner on current form. Then you’ve got Axar Patel, you’ve got (Ravindra) Jadeja who could do a bit of bowling. (Deepak) Hooda bowled one over in the last game, then you’ve got Kuldeep Yadav, you’ve got Ravichandran Ashwin.”
However, Mangrekar can’t find any empty slots for Kul-Cha duo in the team combinations. While speaking about that, Manjrekar told,
“I don’t think that combination will be ever employed by India. At least in T20 cricket where you have Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav both playing together as two spinners. Either, it’ll be Axar Patel or Chahal or it’ll be Ashwin or Chahal, or if Chahal is unfit, then they might just play Kuldeep Yadav as a gamble in one of the games. I don’t see Chahal and Kuldeep getting reunited, maybe in 50 overs cricket they would.”
Follow us on Twitter
