Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his reservations about the Indian team management’s decision to include five spinners in the final squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy in Dubai. The squad features Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy as spin options, while Yashasvi Jaiswal was excluded from the final list despite being in the provisional squad.
Ashwin’s Concerns About Team Composition
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ashwin questioned the necessity of taking five spinners to Dubai, a venue where recent matches haven’t shown much turn.
“Five spinners and we have made Yashasvi Jaiswal sit out. Yeah, I understand taking three or four spinners for a tour, but five spinners in Dubai? I don’t know. I think we are one spinner too many, if not two,” Ashwin remarked.
He also pointed out that with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja being the top all-rounders alongside Hardik Pandya, they are almost certain to play. This leaves limited room for the other spinners unless a pacer is sacrificed, forcing Hardik Pandya to take on the role of the second seamer.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Inclusion Raises Questions
Varun Chakravarthy, who made his ODI debut against England recently and impressed in the T20I series with 14 wickets, found a place in the final squad. Ashwin acknowledged Chakravarthy’s form and potential partnership with Kuldeep Yadav but questioned how the team management plans to fit all the spinners into the playing XI.
“There is no doubt that Kuldeep Yadav will walk into the team. So how will you make space for Varun? Either you bring in Varun and Kuldeep as a duo, which I feel would be good. But my question is, in Dubai, are you expecting the ball to turn?”
Ashwin pointed out that during the ILTO tournament in Dubai, pitches didn’t offer much turn, and teams were successfully chasing high totals, raising doubts about the effectiveness of a spin-heavy strategy.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Omission: A Tough Call
Ashwin expressed his sympathy for Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was dropped to make way for Virat Kohli in the second ODI against England and subsequently excluded from the Champions Trophy squad.
“I am honestly glad that I am not in a position of explaining things to Yashasvi Jaiswal. If I were the coach or captain, what would I even tell him? Yashasvi was bringing water for the players… He would have been happy thinking he was in the Champions Trophy team. And now, suddenly, he is not in the team.”
What Lies Ahead?
India’s decision to go with five spinners has sparked a debate about team balance and strategy, especially considering the conditions in Dubai. Ashwin’s concerns highlight the potential challenges in team selection and the impact on the overall balance of the playing XI.
With the Champions Trophy just around the corner, it remains to be seen how the team management plans to utilise the spin-heavy squad and navigate the challenges posed by Dubai’s pitch conditions.
Stay tuned for more updates and expert insights on India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy.
