IND vs NZ: "He Didn’t Get A Chance Throughout The World Cup, Which Was Very Unfortunate, But He Came Back" - Ravichandran Ashwin Heaps Praise On Yuzvendra Chahal

India are currently in New Zealand for the white-ball series. The Men in Blue have won the three-match T20I series 1-0. The first match in Wellington was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The Hardik Pandya-led team won the second T20I by 65 runs. The third and final match ended in a tie due to rain, with both teams’ scores level through the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Following the T20Is, India will play a three-match ODI series. Shikhar Dhawan will captain the team, with Rishabh Pant remaining as vice-captain. The first match is scheduled to take place at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, November 25. The next two matches will take place in Hamilton and Christchurch on November 27 and 30.

Even With A Wet Ball, He Bowled Beautifully – Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised Yuzvendra Chahal for his outstanding performance in his comeback match for Team India. He highlighted how successful the leg-spinner was even in wet conditions during Sunday’s rain-soaked game against New Zealand.

“He didn’t get a chance throughout the World Cup, which was very unfortunate, but he came back. Even with a wet ball, he bowled beautifully. Even with a wet ball, he bowled beautifully,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.

“A notable thing was when Glenn Phillips swept him when he bowled one onto his pads, but despite the wet ball, he slowed it up the very next delivery. Phillips got clean bowled,” he added.

Deepak Hooda Is A Very Big Positive For India – Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin praised Deepak Hooda, who took four wickets against New Zealand, for his excellent game awareness. He believes that such an all-rounder would be a valuable asset to any captain and would be an excellent addition to the Indian side.

“Extraordinary game awareness by a man who shows extraordinary batsmanship. Deepak Hooda knew what the batsman would expect and bowled the exact opposite. This 4-wicket spell of Deepak Hooda. Let alone the wickets. The control he showed with his different variety and the way he could go in and out is a very big positive for India. A top-order batsman who can give you four overs is a big advantage for any captain,” he added.

“He bowled really well. He has worked really hard on his bowling. What was impressive was how he dismissed Daryl Mitchell. His closed face of the bat will enable him to play anywhere from long off to deep midwicket to square leg. Whereas on the off-side near the cover region, he doesn’t have that many shots since his bat face is closed. So, he steps out outside the off-stump, covers the line, and tries to smash it on the leg stump. When he tried to do that, Deepak Hooda kept bowling outside the off-stump line and made him play through covers,” he concluded.

Also read: IND vs NZ: “Koi Agar Bol Raha Hai Toh Accha Feel Hota Hai” – Stand-In Skipper Hardik Pandya Responds To Sunil Gavaskar And Ravi Shastri’s T20I Captaincy Remark