Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev. Pic Credits: Twitter

Ravichandran Ashwin is having a wonderful time rejoining the Indian limited-overs team. The off-spinner, who had been out of the running for a while, returned to the T20 fray during last year’s T20 World Cup and is now a regular in India’s Playing XI.

The management has placed a great deal of trust in Ashwin’s ability, so much so that Yuzvendra Chahal, India’s top wrist-spinner, is currently warming the bench and has yet to appear in a single World Cup game. As the preferred bowler over Chahal, Ashwin has participated in all five Super 12 games for India, scooping up six wickets and bowling sensibly. 

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin (PC-Getty Images)

Ravichandran Ashwin Not Showing Same Rhythm: Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev, a former captain of India, is not persuaded by Ravichandran Ashwin’s prowess in Twenty20 cricket. In a conversation, Kapil brought up the India spinner’s lack of confidence and belief despite his success in taking wickets. Kapil even said that some of the wickets Ashwin had taken in the competition were primarily the result of batsmen errors rather than the other way around.

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin. Image Credits: BCCI

“Until now, Ashwin hasn’t given me the confidence. He picked up wickets today but it didn’t look as if he got them. In fact, batsmen iss tarah out huye ki unhe khud bhi 1-2 wickets lete huye sharam aa rahi thi (Some of the batsmen got out in a way that Ashwin himself couldn’t believe it).

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He was hiding his face. Picking up wickets obviously gives you that confidence but the Ashwin we know, we haven’t seen him show the same rhythm,” Kapil said on ABP News. 

Whoever Wins The Confidence Of The Management And Captain, Will Play: Kapil Dev

Ravichandran Ashwin will probably continue to play in India’s semifinal match against England at Adelaide Oval on Thursday based on his recent performance. But in the Ashwin vs. Chahal argument, Kapil believes that even if the odds are now stacked in the off-favor, spinner’s it is still possible for India to come up with a surprise in the form of Chahal. 

“It depends on the team management. If they have the confidence on Ashwin, it’s good. He has played the entire tournament so he can adjust if need be.

But if you want to surprise the opposition, they can always turn to the wrist-spinner (Chahal). Whoever wins the confidence of the management and captain, will play,” added Kapil. 

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