ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Ravichandran Ashwin's Experience Will Add Strength To The Spin Department, Asserts MSK Prasad

Former Indian cricket team’s national chief selector MSK Prasad feels Ravichandran Ashwin‘s experience in Asian conditions will benefit the Indian team in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

On Wednesday, the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad for the mega event to be played next month in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The inclusion of the Tamil Nadu off-spinner stunned the entire cricket world and allowed the bowler another go in his international career. Ashwin played his last T20 International match against West Indies in 2017.

Ravichandran Ashwin has been in good form over the last couple of IPL: MSK Prasad

Out of the 52 wickets, the off-spinner has claimed from 46 matches, 40 of those wickets have come in Asia itself and MSK believes that the spinner’s consistent performance in IPL and his experience will add value to the team.

“Ashwin’s experience and that too playing in Asian conditions will definitely add value to the side. Ashwin has been in good form over the last couple of IPL. Especially during the last IPL in Dubai he did really well. With another leg of IPL in Dubai right before the World Cup will definitely help, his experience will add strength to the spin department,” MSK told IANS.

Yuzvendra Chahal must really be disappointed: MSK Prasad

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was one of the regular players, who played for India in the shortest format and was also part of the team that toured Sri Lanka in July.

Chahal is India’s highest wicket-taker having picked 63 wickets from 49 T20 Internationals for India and he also holds the second-best bowling figures of 6/25, he had scripted a match-turning moment against England in 2017.

Chahal lost his place to Mumbai Indians emerging bowler Rahul Chahar, who has the ability to bowl quick deliveries in comparison to his nemesis. MSK Prasad pointed out the difference of Chahal conceding more runs which allowed the selectors to chose Chahar ahead of him.

“(Yuzvendra) Chahal, on the other hand, must be really disappointed as he has been a T20 specialist but if you compare his form with Chahar in the last couple of IPL, perhaps Chahal has become more expensive and Chahar at the same time played a crucial role in helping Mumbai Indians win two back-to-back IPL,” MSK said.

India, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, will start their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Also Read: If You’re Going With Experience, It Makes Absolute Sense That You Play Ravichandran Ashwin – Aakash Chopra On T20 World Cup Squad