I Don't Have Time For Experts Who Have Dissecting My Bowling, Says Ravichandran Ashwin

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said the theories that float in Indian cricket are based on “perceptions”.

India’s spin spearhead in Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin has fallen down the pecking order in limited-overs cricket. Ashwin and to some extent Ravindra Jadeja, another senior spinner, have lost their places to young duo of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, who have done well to become automatic selections.

It would be safe to say that Ashwin’s ODI career has been stalled since the 2015 World Cup in Australia.Since that 2015 World Cup, Ashwin has featured in just 15 ODIs, taking 17 wickets at 40.58. His last ODI appearance came in June 2017 during the tour of Windies.

Things started getting bad for Ashwin from last year’s Champions Trophy. He could not make it to the playing eleven for the first two games. But returned to the side after India lost to Sri Lanka.  In a winner-takes-all match against South Africa, he gave India a much-needed breakthrough with the wicket of Hashim Amla. However, he fared poorly against Bangladesh in the semifinal and was below par in the Oval final against Pakistan.

After that final defeat, he bowled in two matches in the Caribbean and has not been recalled since then.

With just few ODI games left before the 2019 World Cup, Ashwin is looking set to miss the flight to England. He, however, is unfazed by the recent turn of events. He also had a sarcastic comment on the recent trend of teams favouring wrist spinners.

“Like they say, world spins and everything will spin around. It’s only matter of time as more often than not Indian cricket is built mostly on perceptions,” Ashwin said on sidelines of a Deodhar Trophy game.

Ashwin further made it clear that he does not have any time to make things clear to his critics. Asked if he agrees that in Test a spinner’s success depends on stock ball, he replied:

“If you are successful, people will say it’s right. If you are not successful, people will have an opinion.

“For the better part of my 150 wickets, experts kept on saying that I was trying variations….when I knew I wasn’t doing it. These are opinion created by people for which I have to give answer to. I don’t have time for that anymore as I want to enjoy my game,” he said.