Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes Ravichandran Ashwin is not giving Delhi Capitals the overs he should, which is adding to the team’s bowling woes.
Delhi played with six genuine bowlers in the first qualifier against Chennai Super Kings but Ashwin bowled only two overs and conceded 19 runs without taking any wicket.
Ashwin has scalped only five wickets in the 12 matches he has played in the ongoing season. However, the off-spinner has bowled with an impressive economy rate of 7.44.
Delhi would want more control from Ravichandran Ashwin as he has got the experience under his bag. Furthermore, the Sharjah pitch is expected to provide assistance to the spinners and Ashwin could create a big impact.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “You can manage with five bowlers but then Ravichandran Ashwin has to bowl his quota of overs. You are not getting him to bowl at all, either he is not doing or you are not giving. The fact of the matter is that he is not giving you the overs that he should.”
Chopra added that it is not going to matter how many bowlers you play if your main bowler is not going to give you his full quota of overs.
“He is an India player. If he doesn’t bowl well or he doesn’t give four overs, however many bowlers you play, you are going to be short.”
Furthermore, Avesh Khan has impressed throughout the season but the fast bowler hasn’t had the best of the last couple of matches as he has been on the expensive side.
“The second point is the distribution of overs, Avesh Khan’s confidence has gone slightly down in the last two matches. So please use him properly and see who all have overs left.”
On the other hand, Pant’s captaincy did come under scrutiny when he decided not to give the final over to Kagiso Rabada against CSK and instead backed Tom Curran. The move didn’t pay off as the English pacer could not defend 13 runs off the final over against MS Dhoni. Chopra feels Rabada should have bowled the last over in the previous match.
“Kagiso Rabada should have bowled the last over in the last match. He has not been hit for a four by Dhoni in his entire life. Dhoni was in front and you didn’t give him the bowling. You felt his day was not going good, he had given only 23 runs in three overs. So just get the right bowlers to do the right things.”
DC will play KKR in the second qualifier at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
