Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra is a little worried regarding Ravichandran Ashwin’s current form for Delhi Capitals and he feels it could be an issue for the Indian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Ashwin was surprisingly picked in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup by the national selectors and he made a return to the white-ball team after a four-year hiatus.
Meanwhile, Ashwin hasn’t been in the best of forms in the ongoing season of the IPL 2021 as he has scalped only four wickets in nine matches at a paltry average of 63.50 and an economy rate of 7.50.
In fact, it is well known that Ashwin has a plethora of variations under his repertoire and he tries different sorts of deliveries but Chopra wants the off-spinner to be more consistent in his approach. Ashwin has failed to deliver the wickets for Delhi Capitals on a consistent basis and he will need to turn the tables in the coming matches to get his confidence back.
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said: “I expect Ashwin to bowl too full quota of four overs and [without too many action changes] bowl from a single spot because he’s too good a bowler. I am a bit worried from an Indian perspective because nothing has happened since his selection in the Indian team. He’s taken what, three wickets this season? His economy is now touching nearly eight, [he conceded] 40 runs in four overs in the last game on a Sharjah pitch, I mean, that is surprising.”
On the other hand, Chopra feels Prithvi Shaw’s form is also a cause of concern for Delhi Capitals. Shaw hasn’t been able to get going in the UAE leg as he has not delivered the goods. The right-hander had scored 308 runs in eight matches of the first leg of IPL 2021 but he has managed only 27 runs in the three matches he has played in the second phase.
“I am a bit worried about Prithvi Shaw’s form because the first half was spectacular but UAE hasn’t suited him. I didn’t in 2020 and also in 2021…he hasn’t scored runs in any of the matches he has played here… Shikhar Dhawan was once again spectacular [but] he has not lived up to the billing yet in the second half…”
DC will take on CSK at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.