Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is not sure if Ravichandran Ashwin deserves a place in ODIs and T20I format. Ashwin was added to India’s ODI World Cup squad after Axar Patel was ruled out with an injury.
However, the veteran off-spinner played a solitary match in the ODI showpiece, which was the opening game against Australia. Ashwin returned with figures of 1-34 against the Aussies but didn’t get a chance in the playing XI after that.
The Tamil Nadu spinner last played a T20 for the national team back in 2022 when he played in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup against England at Adelaide, which India lost.
Yuvraj Singh said as quoted by TNN, “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.”
On the other hand, Hardik Pandya is currently out of action after he suffered an ankle injury in the ODI World Cup. Yuvraj added Pandya is a very important player for the team as he adds balance as an all-rounder.
“Hardik is a very important member of the team and India need him. He is injury prone and we need to give him time to recuperate and settle down. We have to get the best out of him. As for captaincy, we need to have more options. There is Suryakumar Yadav, who has been captaining India in T20Is. There is Shubman Gill, who will be captain in IPL.”
The second T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on Sunday.
