Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lashed out at the Indian team management for their selection choices during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. Ashwin expressed frustration over Kuldeep Yadav‘s exclusion, especially after India struggled with the ball on Day 2.
India made a few forced changes in their playing XI, with debutant Anshul Kamboj replacing the injured Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur stepping in for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was ruled out with a knee injury. However, Ashwin felt the team should have prioritized bowling depth over additional batting strength.
“Ignoring Kuldeep is Blowing My Head Away”
Ashwin strongly felt Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion could have helped ease the burden on Jasprit Bumrah and a fatigued pace unit.
“๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ต๐.6, ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐-๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐. ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฌ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐’๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ , ๐๐’๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐,” ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. “๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐. ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐.”
He pointed out that India were stuck relying on Bumrah, with no backup wicket-taking options. The lack of rotation among spinners and the over-reliance on part-timers like Shubman Gill further weakened Indiaโs attack, Ashwin argued.
Batting Obsession Costing India in Tests
Ashwin also criticized the managementโs tendency to prioritize batting depth over bowling options, warning that it was backfiring in key Test situations.
“๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ 20-30 ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ 20 ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐,” ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ .
Ashwin highlighted that with Jadeja and Washington Sundar in the lower-middle order, India already had enough batting options. He questioned the point of picking Shardul Thakur if his role was limited to scoring 20-30 runs and bowling just a few overs.
“๐ฐ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐? ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ . ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐,” ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ .
Ashwin concluded by saying that while Kuldeep might not have taken five wickets, his unique bowling style and mystery could have at least broken partnerships and added pressure on Englandโs batting lineup.
India now trails in the match with England in control, and questions are being raised over selection choices that might have cost the visitors a stronger position in the series.
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