‘It is a matter of investigation’ – Dilip Vengsarkar surprised with Ravi Ashwin’s constant exclusion from the Indian team

Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar was surprised with Ravi Ashwin’s constant omission from the national playing eleven and said that it has become a “matter of investigation”. Ashwin last played for India back in June during the World Test Championship final against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Since then, he’s had to warm the benches.

He was a part of the squad for the tour of England, but kept being overlooked. Moreover, Ashwin is yet to get a game in the 2021 T20 World Cup despite being a part of the squad. The veteran played the two warm-up matches against England and Australia, and picked up two wickets.

However, in India’s Super 12 matches against Pakistan and New Zealand, he couldn’t break into the eleven. Vengsarkar said that it’s a mystery as to why Ashwin hasn’t got a game despite being a senior member and one of India’s top wicket-takers across formats.

Why do you pick him then? questions Dilip Vengsarkar

“Why is Ashwin being so dropped for so long? It is a matter of investigation. Across formats he is your best spinner with more than 600 international wickets. He is your senior most spinner and you don’t pick him,” Vengsarkar was quoted as saying in Sportskeeda.

“I fail to understand. He didn’t play a single game in the England Test series also. Why do you pick him then? It is a mystery to me,” he stated.

Vengsarkar was also disappointed with the “body language” of the Indian cricketers in the World Cup. “The team looked off coloured and players looked jaded. I don’t know if it is the bio bubble fatigue or something else, I have not seen such body language in the players in a long time,” Vengsarkar added.

India have had a terrible time until now in the mega event. Virat Kohli and Co. are currently placed at fifth in the points table in Group 2 with a net run rate of -1.609.

They will next be facing Mohammad Nabi’s Afghanistan on Wednesday, November 3 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. If India lose the game, they will officially be knocked out of the competition.