Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reckons India could have played either Varun Chakravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav in the first T20I against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Thursday.
Surprisingly, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer didn’t use Naman Dhir’s services as Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled his quota of four overs.
Ashwin noted that Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner were the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis and thus India’s decision of not playing a specialist spinner was debatable.
“Does leaving spinners out become an easy choice because our coach and captain are good players of spin? New Zealand’s speciality is not spin, but both their best bowlers were spinners. We did not even use Naman Dhir. Many times it may happen like this, as our coach and captain are good players of spin, so that becomes the mindset. It is very natural. I am not pointing it out as a mistake. Maybe either Varun or Kuldeep could have played on this ground,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
The former Indian all-rounder said India should have played at least one spinner as Hagley Oval is a big ground and thus is not easy to clear boundaries.
He added, “One spinner should have played on this ground. This is among the biggest grounds in New Zealand. If you don’t play spinners here also, where else will you play them? If they thought of the conditions and did not play them, then it is a rookie mistake. New Zealand do not have such quality spinners, but still they played two spinners. What will happen? Will the spinner go for 50 runs? Fast bowlers are going for 50 anyway. At least there will be chances of getting wickets.”
Ashwin noted that India would always be favorites on flat decks and urged New Zealand to take a leaf out of Ireland’s book.
“If you give such wickets, it might be good to look, but India will always be ahead. They are favorites on such pitches. New Zealand can take a leaf out of Ireland’s book. They troubled India with the pitches they made. If there are flat batting wickets, they cannot trouble India. But there has to be some help for the bowlers,” he said.
The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday.
