5 Indian players fans always want to see in the national team

3. Ravi Ashwin (ODIs and T20Is)

Ravi Ashwin, five years ago, was India’s premier spinner across all formats. Rather he and Ravindra Jadeja were the only two Indian spinners, the national team employed in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. However, post the 2017 Champions Trophy final debacle, the management banked on the wrist spinners giving ‘rest’ to the finger spinners (Ashwin and Jadeja) and the ploy worked.

Since then, the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were preferred in the shorter formats while Ashwin and Jaddu continued to be part of the Tests. Jadeja, however, made a stunning comeback and even played the 2019 World Cup. But Ashwin has been completely left out of the set up and to make things worse, Jadeja is being preferred now in overseas Tests.

India though were caught off guard in World Cup after England smashed the wrist spinner left, right and centre. And since the mega event, only either of Kuldeep or Chahal is making it to the final XI. During this period, many felt that Ravi Ashwin should get another chance to prove his mettle as he was dropped from the side saying that he was ‘rested’ and never included. However, it doesn’t seem to be happening in the near future now.