Ashwin, Jadeja out of the race for 2019 World Cup, feels Atul Wassan

Spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja’s place in the limited-overs format has been highly debated about after the wrist spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have taken over. Jadeja and Ashwin, who are India’s first choice spinners in the longest format have not been as effective in limited-overs. Hence, they were replaced by the wrist spinners in limited overs.

The wrist spinners pretty much will be part of India’s plans for the 2019 World Cup. With the tracks in England not assisting spin much, wrist spinners will be more effective than the finger spinners. Moreover, former India pacer Atul Wassan dismissed any chances of India’s experienced spin pair of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja being in the scheme of things for the World Cup.

No chance of Ashwin or Jadeja unless one of the wrist spinners get injured, feels Atul

Wassan opined that Virat Kohli and team management must be credited for backing the young spinners. Impressed by the performance of the wrist spin duo, Wassan, the chairman of selectors of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), wants the management to let the duo play around 50 matches in different conditions before the World Cup.

“The credit should go to the team management and Virat for backing India’s core strength – spin bowling in alien conditions. And here we have two wrist spinners who have delivered pretty well,” he said. “I think the management should now let these two play 50-60 games in different conditions before taking them to the World Cup. They have a big heart and aren’t afraid to flight the ball despite being belted for runs in the fourth game,” he added to TOI.

He gave no chance for the finger spinners to make a comeback in the limited overs format. “Well people might say diplomatically they have a chance, but I don’t see any chance unless one of Kuldeep or Chahal gets injured,” Wassan said. However, India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun said recently that the race is not over yet for Ashwin and Jadeja.

Commenting on whether India could have included either of the duo in the Test series, Wassan said, “In hindsight, they could have included one of the mystery spinners. One year back, no one would have thought Ashwin and Jadeja would have to fight for their place but that’s a healthy competition to have.”