Kolkata: Spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal had a crucial role to play in India’s thumping nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Dambulla on Sunday.
The Indian team undoubtedly has begun it’s preparations for the 2019 World Cup and former skipper and wicketkeeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been the centre of all discussions.
However, the role of their premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been unanswered as of now.
He played a crucial role in India’s 3-0 drubbing of Sri Lanka where he and Jadeja together took a total of 30 wickets. He has always been a main part of the Test team but has been rested for the ODI series against the Sri Lankans. The second string spinners however has done a good job so far.
Ashwin, although was a part of the Champions Trophy squad played just three matches and took just one wicket. The 2019 World Cup would be held in England and Wales where the conditions would favour the seamers.
But bowling coach Bharat Arun believes that the Tamil Nadu man is a main part of Indian plans for the 2019 World Cup despite him not playing 50-over cricket regularly.
When asked about Ashwin not frequently featuring in the ODI team, he said, “To be very honest, this is a question you should be asking the selector.”
“But yes, as a bowling coach, he is an extremely talented bowler. Even if you look at the last one-day which he played in the West Indies, he got 3/25. Ashwin is very, very skilful. That’s it, I’ve answered your question,” he added.
He also said that they are looking to give more opportunities to the other bowlers and they have long-term plans in place for the off-spinner.
“I don’t want to see what has happened so far. But what I would like to see is yes, Ashwin is also part of the team we are looking at. We are also looking at giving opportunities to other bowlers. And then we have a long-term plan in place, we would work accordingly,” he said.
Ashwin, although has been almost unplayable at home or similar conditions, hasn’t had a great time when India tours countries like England, South Africa and Australia. The Indian team although has leg-spinners in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal and chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, their has hardly been any off-spinner who would be kept as the backup option for Ashwin.
Said Arun, “Why only off-spinner, we will need to have back-up options for every bowler that we have. And there are enough bowlers in our country to provide that bench strength.”
The Indian team are also in the lookout for a left-arm pace bowler to provide variety to the pace attack.
“Left-arm fast bowling, yes, we are looking. If we can get even one good left-arm fast bowler, it will go well for the side,” said Arun.