'Mirrors the 2023 ODI World Cup' - Ravichandran Ashwin unhappy with India Champions Trophy squad

The Indian squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy has been announced and there are a lot of experts who have given their views on this selection. There is a lot of criticism on the players who have been left out of the squad and who should have made the squad for the upcoming ICC event.

There have been a lot of ex-players and experts who have shared their opinions on this team. Recently-retired spin bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also shared a few words on the side and has given some harsh criticism on how the selectors have picked the team, emphasizing on the lack of left-handers in the squad and also questioning the role of some players in the India squad.

“This template mirrors the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill open, both right-handed. Then there’s Virat Kohli. Shreyas Iyer likely bats at 4, given his strong performance in the World Cup. KL Rahul follows. At No. 6, it’s a choice between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Hardik occupies No. 7. We lack left-handed batters in the top seven. Outside the XI, we have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant,” said Ashwin in conversation on ‘Ash Ki Baat’ show.

“Jaiswal might only play if someone gets injured. He could have a chance against England. But what if he scores consecutive centuries? One option is to open with Jaiswal and Rohit, pushing Shubman to 3, followed by Virat at 4. This would place either Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul at 5. If Jaiswal plays, Shreyas Iyer would likely be dropped. While unlikely, India must capitalize on Jaiswal’s current form,” he added. 

Ashwin criticises three spinner tactics 

The other aspect that Ashwin is unhappy with is the decision of picking multiple finger spinners in the squad bringing up the dew factor in Dubai. He also suggested that the selectors should have given a chance to Nitish Reddy who he thinks should have made the squad.

“In the ongoing ILT20, dew is a factor in every match. Will India risk playing three spinners? If Washington bats at No. 8, it weakens the batting. Ideally, he should bat at 8. Does it make sense to have a player like Nitish Reddy in the scheme of things? If Kuldeep plays at 9, it’s two pacers and three spinners. With Nitish, he could bat at 8, allowing Kuldeep at 9 and two fast bowlers. This would provide the luxury of four fast bowlers and two spinners. I don’t know if he was considered, Kuldeep is a lock at No. 9, as the primary spinner. Among the finger spinners, I think one fast bowler could have been accommodated. I’m sure there were discussions,” the former cricketer concluded.