IND vs AUS 2023: It was never a question of whether he is the right replacement – Abhishek Nayar hails Ravichandran Ashwin

Former Indian batter Abhishek Nayar has lauded Ravichandran Ashwin for his fine performance in the second ODI against Australia at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on Sunday. Nayar feels it was never a question of whether Ashwin was the right replacement when he was named in the ODI series against Australia after Axar Patel was injured.

The veteran spinner showed his class as he returned with impressive figures of 3-41 in the seven overs he bowled. Ashwin accounted for Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner, and Josh Inglis in his fine spell.

Ergo, he played a key role in bundling out Australia for a paltry score of 218 runs, and thus the hosts won by 99 runs (DLS method) to take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series.

Ashwin was at his deceptive best as he bamboozled Marnus Labuschagne with a carrom ball and plumbed David Warner (though he had the rub of the green on his side as the left-hander didn’t review despite getting inside edge) and Josh Inglis in front of the wickets.

“It was never a question of whether he is the right replacement. It was just about seeing how he performs in this format, playing it after a long time, and whether he still has it in him to play it. And he’s proven that. He has only gotten better, which is a positive. He was challenged differently by David Warner, when Warner kept on going from left to right and vice versa.”

“But he started using the carrom ball and picked up three wickets. So, it just tells you that even if he is an off-spinner, he is good enough to bowl to a left and a right-hander, when required. So, I believe he has created a bit more confusion for the selectors, Rohit, and the support staff. It’s going to be interesting who they will pick between the two,” said Nayar on JioCinema.

India has been coming up with a collective effort and KKR’s assistant coach reckons the team has ticked all the right boxes.

“All boxes ticked. I think you can’t be happier. We wanted to see this – everyone doing well. The biggest question before this game was Shreyas Iyer, who scored a century. So, going into the World Cup with the understanding that even though your top five players were missing – India could win the series convincingly. It just tells you that there is enough depth and the fact that everyone is in good form – it is a good omen for India going forward,” added Nayar.

The third ODI of the series will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on Wednesday.