Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly questioned the team management after Arshdeep Singh was left out of the playing XI for the first two ODIs against New Zealand in Vadodara and Rajkot. While the left-arm pacer is part of the squad for the three-match series, Arshdeep is yet to feature, a decision that has clearly not gone down well with Ashwin.
The competition to join the Indian cricket squad is high. However, the fraternity raises its voice when they find something alarming, quite like that the former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin strongly questioned the team management.
The former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced his rage at management’s decision to bench Arshdeep Singh. He criticised the management after the left-arm pacer was seen warming the bench in the first two ODIs against New Zealand in Vadodara and Rajkot.
The former spinner previously voiced his concern for Arshdeep’s frequent dismissal from the playing squad. He urged the think tank to be more considerate about the player’s mental health and confidence.
He, while highlighting the constant mental toll on the bowlers, stated on his YouTube channel, “What must he be thinking right now? He has done so much, yet he is still fighting for his spot. Whenever he plays next, he will be rusty. No matter what you say, this is a game of confidence. Why does this happen to the bowlers at all times? It never happens with the batters.”
Arshdeep, even though being one of the leading wicket takers in T20Is, struggled to find a spot in the playing squad. He cemented 22 wickets in the 14 ODIs he played. However, the management has preferred Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna as the three frontline pacers against the Kiwis in the first two matches.
Ashwin took to his YouTube channel and highlighted the strategic planning taken up by the management, but he also talked about Arshadeep’s situation, which is often ignored.
“The contest is between the bowlers. For South Africa, you need a hit-the-deck bowler. Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana both need match experience, so I can understand the thinking. But no one is thinking about Arshdeep Singh, who will stand in his shoes and think? This is not about how much he has played and how much he hasn’t played,” Ashwin said.
The former spinner added that Arshdeep has proven himself deserving of automatic selection, citing his past performances, and drew on similar experiences from his own international career.
“I have been in this position, so I know how it is. This is why I am fighting for Arshdeep Singh. Whenever you have given him the ball, he has performed for you. Allow him to walk into the playing XI with his head held high. He deserves this boss,” Ashwin said.
There is speculation that Arshdeep might appear in the finals. Ashwin, focusing on that, stated, “Now people are saying he will play the third ODI. What is the point? He didn’t play the first two ODIs, and why did that happen? What will that do to his confidence?”
The Kiwis have already levelled the series. Now the final is scheduled to begin on Sunday, 18th January.
