India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was ignored against the Pakistan contest as the side opted for the deadly combination of Kuldeep Yadav & Ravindra Jadeja. Ravichandran Ashwin can be used as a secret weapon as the spinner has got a lot of variations.
India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey in the pre-match interview showered all his praise for the veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, coined him as a great team man and someone who never gets crotchety about his place in the team.
I have never seen Ravichandran Ashwin grumpy – Paras Mhambrey
Ashwin played in India’s opening World Cup match against Australia and registered economical figures of 1/34 off his 10 overs. However, all-rounder Shardul Thakur was preferred to him in the next two matches against Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“It’s a really tough one. When you have a world-class bowler in your 15, and you are unable to give him a game. It’s a tough call and you have to take such calls. I think the conversation has always been team-centric,” said Paras Mhambrey.
“All the decisions that we have taken, not only before this game but over the last few years are based on the team. We go with the side that’s best for the surface, and the best combination,” he stated.
He also added by saying the 37-year-old has never complained about being left out of the team and keeps working equally hard in the nets irrespective of whether he is picked or not.
“In that sense, he has been a great lad, he understands that. He is a great team guy. I have never seen him grumpy, never seen him complaining anytime for any of the last few years, he has been with us. Having someone like that really helps,” said Paras Mhambrey.
And I think credit goes to him. Even after so many years, he is there, he wants to do well for the team, he turns up every practice session, goes through the rigors, and he keeps bowling. He is a great team man,” he added.
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