Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has expressed doubts about the future of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ashwin, who has been struggling to make an impact in the ongoing season, has only managed to take two wickets in eight matches while conceding over nine runs per over.
Sehwag criticized Ashwin for his recent comments about the importance of taking wickets in T20 cricket, stating that if his stats do not improve, he may not even get picked in the auction next season. The former opener compared Ashwin’s mindset to that of KL Rahul, who had previously downplayed the significance of strike rates in batting.
Sehwag highlighted the success of Ashwin’s competitors like Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, who have been consistently picking up wickets. He suggested that Ashwin’s reluctance to rely on his off-spin or doosra deliveries may be hindering his performance on the field.
Despite Ashwin’s struggles, his team Rajasthan Royals currently sits at the top of the IPL 2024 points table with 16 points from nine matches. However, they will need a win in their upcoming game against SunRisers Hyderabad to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Sehwag’s comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans and experts, with many questioning Ashwin’s approach to bowling in T20 cricket. As the IPL season progresses, all eyes will be on Ashwin to see if he can turn his form around and prove his critics wrong.