IND vs NZ: 'Ravichandran Ashwin's Skills Were Not On Display In The Big Tournament'- Mohammad Kaif Feels Veteran Spinner Could Not Make An Impact In The T20 World Cup

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif claimed that veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin‘s performance in the T20 World Cup 2022 did not really excite him. Kaif acknowledged that despite his best attempts, Ashwin did not bowl very brilliantly. 

Yuzvendra Chahal, a leg-spinner, was chosen over 36-year-old Ashwin for all of Team India’s T20 World Cup 2022 games. He took six wickets in as many games, which was a dismal tournament total. However, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe were the targets of five of those six victories. 

He only made one against South Africa while giving up 43 runs. In both the semi-final against England and India’s first Super 12 game against Pakistan, the offender went wicketless.

Difficult For Ravichandran Ashwin To Play Next World Cup: Mohammad Kaif

When discussing Ravichandran Ashwin’s potential for the Men in Blue in T20Is, Kaif stated the following to Sportskeeda: 

“It is difficult for Ashwin (to play in the next World Cup). There were a lot of hopes from him. Chahal was dropped and Ashwin was preferred ahead of him because he could bat at 8.

He brought some balance to the team. But he did not bowl too well. He did not make an impact or turn the ball. His skills were not on display in the big tournament.” 

In 65 T20I matches during the course of his career, Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 72 wickets at an average of 23.22 and a 6.90 economy rate. 

There Were Definitely Mistakes In Team Selection During T20 World Cup 2022: Mohammad Kaif

Kaif analysed India’s team selection for the T20 World Cup in 2022 and expressed his opinion that mistakes were made. Kaif clarified that both captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid made mistakes: 

“There will be questions over whether we played our best playing XI. Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid are experienced guys, but there were definitely mistakes in team selection. 

“Not only in this tournament but in the previous one as well that was played in the UAE. At the time, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri were in charge. Again, Chahal was not picked.” 

After the T20 World Cup 2022’s Super 12 round, India led the points standings in Group 2. They once again struggled in the knockout rounds, losing to England in Adelaide’s second semifinal by a margin of 10 wickets. 

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