Yuvraj Singh has expressed a strong opinion about Ravichandran Ashwin’s limited-overs career, stating that the 37-year-old spinner does not deserve to participate in ODIs and T20Is.
In Test cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin has earned a stellar reputation as one of the premier spinners, amassing an impressive 490 wickets from 95 matches. However, the limited-overs format tells a different story, where tough competition from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Axar Patel has made it challenging for Ashwin to secure a consistent spot.
His journey in limited-overs cricket has been a series of ups and downs. Initially displaced by Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in 2017, Ashwin has since made sporadic appearances in various tournaments. His most recent outing was in the 2023 World Cup for India, where he stepped in as a last-minute replacement for the injured Axar Patel. Surprisingly, he played just one match, taking 1/34 against Australia in Chennai.
Yuvraj Singh recently shared his perspective on Ashwin’s performance in white-ball cricket, suggesting that Ashwin might not be deserving of a spot in ODIs and T20Is. Yuvraj cited concerns about Ashwin’s batting contributions and fielding skills, indicating that these factors might be impacting his suitability for these formats.
“Ashwin is a great bowler but I don’t think he deserves a place in ODIs and T20s. He is very good with the ball, but what does he bring with the bat? Or as a fielder? In the Test team, yes, he should be there. But in white-ball cricket, I don’t think he deserves a place,” Yuvraj Singh was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Ashwin has been a key player in the limited-overs format, featuring in 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is, contributing to India’s campaigns in the last three World Cups. However, his consistent presence was disrupted after India’s loss in the Champions Trophy 2017 final to Pakistan. This setback led to the emergence of spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, sidelining Ashwin.
After a four-year hiatus from T20Is, Ashwin staged a comeback and was selected for the T20 World Cup 2021. Surprisingly, he was preferred over Chahal in some crucial matches. Despite missing games against Pakistan and New Zealand, Ashwin played against Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia before participating in the NZ T20Is at home. His return extended from November 2021 to 2022, featuring in 19 T20I matches, including six at the World Cup in Australia. However, he was subsequently dropped and hasn’t made a return to the shortest format for India since.
At 37 years old, Ashwin has clinched 156 wickets in 116 ODIs with an average of 33.20, along with 72 wickets in 65 T20Is at an average of 23.22.
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