Ravichandran Ashwin may be 37 years of age and at the back end of his career but he is still young, athletic and smart in the field as well as with the ball in hand. The shrewd right off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin not only bowls to a particular gameplan but knows how to frustrate the batters by bowling immaculate lines & lengths.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) would be considering using Ravichandran Ashwin as a stabilizer; in case if there is a collapse as he can take the team out of the muddle as well. Ashwin along with Yuzvendra Chahal can spin a web across the batters and it won’t be wrong to say that there will be competition between both of them for a place in ICC T20 WC 2024 which is in June 2024.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s numbers have been outstanding- Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble was seen interacting with the media during the felicitation of Ravichandran Ashwin at Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA). Anil Kumble was quite perplexed that how Ravichandran Ashwin isn’t a first choice spinner when the Men in Blue travel overseas. Anil Kumble pointed out that Ashwin has always been a leader in the dressing room.
“In my book, he is one of the best to have represented the country. His numbers have been outstanding. He has an overwhelming correlation with his and India’s success. He was never satisfied and wanted more. He should have played his 100th Test much earlier. He doesn’t always get picked while India travels overseas, which perplexes me,” said Anil Kumble.
“Although he hasn’t been the official Indian captain, he has always been a leader in the dressing room. Wonderful to see him dedicate his 500th wicket to his proud father. He still has some international and IPL cricket left in him. Looking forward to seeing him perform more,” he added.
Conundrum for India
BCCI’s selection panel will have to take some tough calls as there is cut-throat competition amongst the spinners ahead of T20 WC 2024. The duo of Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal has got somewhat missing and the resurgence of Ravichandran Ashwin means that he once again most likely will pip Yuzvendra Chahal.
It may sound harsh but it sounds that even after the T20 WC 2022 crushing defeat against England in the Semi Finals, BCCI haven’t followed a particular process as all of a sudden Rohit Sharma is set to lead the side in the marquee tournament who didn’t played a single T20I match except the Afghanistan T20I series where he smashed a ton. It would be interesting to see whether the side peaks this time or gives reasons.