IND vs WI: "Why Was He Totally Sidelined After The World Cup?" - Aakash Chopra On Ravichandran Ashwin Returning To India's T20I Squad For Series vs West Indies

After bringing back Ravichandran Ashwin to India’s T20I squad after a protracted absence, Aakash Chopra has questioned the Indian selectors’ long-term objectives.

Since the T20 World Cup last year, the spinner has only appeared in two T20 Internationals for Team India. He is presently a part of India’s 18-person T20I series versus the West Indies team.

Aakash Chopra Questions Why Ravichandran Ashwin Was Sidelined After World Cup

The off-spinner’s comeback to the T20I team was discussed by Chopra in the following way in a video posted on his YouTube channel:

“Ravichandran Ashwin is back, that’s an interesting one. What is the long-term perspective? Why was he not there in the team for the last 8-10 months? Why was he totally sidelined after the World Cup and why has he come back now?”

The former cricketer-turned-analyst questioned why the veteran pro was left out of India’s selection for the subsequent T20I series against New Zealand and other matches. He elaborated:

“Actually he did play five matches (including three at the World Cup), he did well but after that, he has not got too many chances. Then you should have played him against Sri Lanka and South Africa as well. You didn’t play him in the T20Is in England as well although he was there in England, you could have played him.”

There is No Update On Washington Sundar: Aakash Chopra

Chopra also questioned why Washington Sundar, an off-spinner, wasn’t included in the Indian T20I team. He opined:

“This is another very big story that Ravichandran Ashwin is there but there is no trace of Washington Sundar. There is no update about Washi Sundar, if he is fit or injured because he was going far ahead, that he bowls well, can bat as well, fielding is okay-okay.”

Sundar suffered an injury while competing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL in 2022, and he hasn’t been included in Team India’s plans since then. He wasn’t going to represent Lancashire in county cricket, but he hasn’t yet.

It’s A Great Opportunity For Ravichandran Ashwin: Aakash Chopra

The T20Is against the West Indies will give a terrific opportunity for the off-spinner, Aakash Chopra concluded. He reasoned:

“It’s a great opportunity for R Ashwin to be fair. Jaddu [Jadeja] will play, Axar has also been kept in the team with him, Ravi Bishnoi is also there in this team. There will be turning pitches, so spin will be used more. You will play him for sure.”

It will be intriguing to observe how frequently the senior professional gets to play throughout the five-match West Indies series. Kuldeep Yadav is also a member of the team in addition to the aforementioned spinners, although his availability is dependent on his fitness.

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