Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin questioned Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy after the home team suffered a 76-run drubbing against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Washington Sundar was backed in the team because of the number of left-handers in the Proteas’ side. However, as Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton were dismissed early, Sundar was given only two overs by SKY. The off-spinner went wicketless and conceded 17 runs.
“We lost tactically. If you played Sundar, you had to use him against left-handers. Both Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton got out early. Against Miller he went for 11 runs in an over. It can happen. He is not playing consistently. Then you took him out of the attack and we could not use one spinner at all,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
Ashwin showered praise on Jasprit Bumrah, who returned with impressive figures of 3-15 in his quota of four overs.
“If you have a bowler who is giving just 15 runs in four overs and picking three wickets, what more cheat code you need than this? We are all extremely lucky to witness greatness live. We always forget greatness and then bring it after retirements,” he stated.
The off-spinner urged Indian batters to take their time and provide a good platform to finishers like Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh.
“I wouldn’t be too bothered about the net run rate. We have to win two out of two games. We need to respect the conditions a bit. Take some time and bat. This team is a young team, they need to handle pressure better. We have Hardik and Rinku. Build a platform for them by stitching partnerships. There is no need to be in a hurry,” he said.
The former CSK all-rounder said the batting unit must play according to the pitch conditions.
“I don’t think there is still a problem. Against Zimbabwe, I am sure we can put in a much better performance. I am sure we will tune up very well. But we have to remember two things. We need to learn that these are pitches the ICC is giving with enough in it for both batters and bowlers. The contest is fair. The shots that we play in bilaterals and unfair conditions there, we have to play with some respect as a batting unit.”
India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
