I don’t see Ravichandran Ashwin playing the T20 World Cup, to be honest: Parthiv Patel

Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel feels Ravinchandran Ashwin might not be able to make the cut into India’s World Cup squad. Ashwin is currently part of the ongoing five-match T20I series against the West Indies.

The veteran spinner had scalped two wickets in the first T20I on Friday and conceded only 22 runs in his quota of four overs. Meanwhile, Ashwin was also part of the India’s squad in the 2021 World Cup. The veteran off-spinner had not played in the first two matches against Pakistan and New Zealand, which India lost.

However, Ashwin got his opportunity against Namibia, Scotland and Afghanistan. The off-spinner had scalped six wickets in three matches at an average of 10.50 and an economy of 5.25. But following that, Ashwin didn’t played consistently in the T20I team after taking part in the New Zealand series, which was hosted right after the World Cup.

Ashwin has scalped 63 wickets in 52 matches at an average of 20.97 and an economy rate of 6.77. Thus, Ashwin has good bowling numbers and he can also contribute while batting in the lower order. Furthermore, Ashwin could play a key role as he has all the experience under his belt but Parthiv Patel doesn’t see him in the selectors’ scheme of things.

“I see Bishnoi playing ahead of Ashwin in the next game (if India decide to go with two spinners). I don’t see Ashwin playing the T20 World Cup, to be honest. I would want variety in Kuldeep Yadav, Bishnoi and (Yuzvendra) Chahal. Wrist spinners give that attacking option in between. Ashwin doesn’t give you that,” said Patel while talking to Cricbuzz.

“Even in India, you don’t see three spinners playing in a T20 or a one-day game. Tactically, India have been brilliant throughout this tour. Even in the last ODI, when they came in to bat after rain, they thought (more) rain would come, and they played like that. Today also, tactically playing three spinners.”

“He made sure the spinners bowled at different times. We saw Ravi Bishnoi bowling four overs together at the death. Ashwin and Jadeja bowled in the first six overs. Usually, we see Ashwin bowling with the new ball, but not Jadeja. But we saw Jadeja bowl because of two right-handed match-ups. Rohit was on top of his game,” said Patel.

Meanwhile, India is expected to back Yuzvendra Chahal as their lead spinner in the T20 World Cup as he has been performing consistently. Chahal had also scalped 27 wickets in 17 matches in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals and had taken his team to the final of the tournament. The leg-spinner was dropped in the previous T20 World Cup and the selectors will not want to make a mistake of dropping him