Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has put his weight behind Gautam Gambhir after a 0-2 series loss against Ireland. Gambhir was slammed after India’s shocking loss against the Irish team and Ashwin said the former Delhi cricketer is mostly misunderstood by the cricket fraternity.
Gambhir is not known to mince his words and some people tend to think he can be a bit rude in his statements. However, Ashwin said it will take us time to realise that a difference in view does not mean that you don’t like the other person.
“When there are talks about Gambhir, sometimes it comes out in a manner where we don’t get it in a way that he is trying to say it. I think he is a very misunderstood person. There could be personal things. In India and Indian cricket, it will take us time to realise that a difference in view or point of view does not mean that you don’t like the other person. It is okay to disagree. Like and point of view are very different,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Under Gambhir’s tutelage, it has been observed that the team gives preference to all-rounder over specialist players. The likes of Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have received the team’s backing.
“India under Gambhir values someone who can bat and bowl a bit as well, then you will be in. Sometimes I am not okay with this that all of this comes into Test cricket as well, which I am not agreeing with. In T20 cricket, if a batter who comes at 6 or 7 can give a bit of bowling as well, it lends a lot of balance to your team. Someone who can consistently finish innings for you at 5, 6, or 7, those should be valued and given a slightly longer rope.”
For the England tour, Ashwin is optimistic India’s batting unit will come through but the bowling battery will be a slight concern.
“It all depends on the conditions in England. They do give flat wickets. But if England want to win, they have to leave some life on the pitch. On pitches of true nature, the Indian batting will dominate. India’s bowling is a slight concern. I feel there is a lack of spin in this T20 line-up, which could work against India. But I see the batting really coming through.”
India will next take on England in a five-match T20I series.
