After India’s humiliating loss against Australia in the finals of the World Test Championship 2021-23, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar slammed Indian team management for not selecting Ravichandran Ashwin. Notably, India fielded four pacers and a spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the prestigious game.
Speaking about the same, Gavaskar slammed Indian team management and said that no one treats the No. 1 player like this. In an article in Midday, he said,
“No other top-class Indian cricketer in the modern era has been treated as bafflingly as Ashwin has been. Tell me if there was a No. 1 ICC-ranked batter in the team, would he have been left out of the playing XI just because in earlier times he had not got runs on a grassy pitch or if he had not scored runs on a dry spin-friendly pitch? Not.
“In Ashwin’s case, despite being the No. 1 bowler, he is not always the first spinner to be brought on”, he further added. Notably, Ravichandran Ashwin is the world’s number 1 Test bowler and no.2 ranked Test Allrounder. He has been phenomenal against Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy clinching the most wickets in the four-match series.
“It is hard to understand”, Gavaskar slams Cheteshwar Pujara
Little master Sunil Gavaskar also slammed the Indian top order for poor batting performance and throwing their wickets after registering a good start. He said,
“Why Pujara attempted a ramp shot is hard to understand for that is not a shot he employs regularly. To even try it two deliveries after Rohit was out was also questioning the thinking at the time. Pujara is known for his patience and willingness to take blows, but keep occupying the crease so why on earth did he look to play that shot when runs were not needed but preserving wickets was essential.”
Notably, India will be taking rest for a month and will be back on the field against West Indies for a two-match Test series on July 12. It will be interesting to see if India continues with Cheteshwar Pujara as number 3 in Test cricket or if team management will move on from him. It will also be interesting to see how India rewards IPL performers in T20 cricket.
