Indian spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are making mockery of South African batting lineup in the ongoing ODI series in South Africa. Chahal and Kuldeep picked 8 wickets between them in the second ODI, including the first ODI fifer for Chahal.
The rise of Chahal and Kuldeep has put the experienced duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja out of contention for the limited overs series, thanks to the stupendous performances with the white ball.
When asked about their meteoric rise, R Ashwin said “I think there is a bit of novelty factor there. It is not about wrist finger or finger spin, it is about the ability to adapt.”
“When T20 first started people thought there was no place for spinners. Then, finger spinners dominated literally for 10 years and then wrist spinners started doing well, which is good. It is more about adaptability,” he said.
However, the rise of these two wrist spinners has made Ashwin lose out on his spot in the limited overs Indian team. But Ashwin is not much concerned about that, as he told the reporters on the sideline of Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match, that, “As I told you I can only do my part. I don’t think I am at that phase of my career that I am going to fret much and look forward to something.”
“Genuinely speaking if I am good enough I will play and I have always believed I have been very good enough to play as a bowler in any team. That is my self-confidence. But I will try to strengthen my ammunition,” he said.
“I am not looking at it as evolution or anything. I have been practising that for some time. This is part of my plan going into the IPL and all that. I am trying to build my armoury. At the top of my run- up, I must have more up my sleeve,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin continued, “To be honest my career has been such that people have always said I tried a lot. And when I didn’t try a lot I lost my place. It is a kind of give and take, the game’s demands are such.”
Talking about people’s perspective of his failures outside India, Ashwin said “Most of the talk has been pretty much overrated. Yes, I have failed for a game here and there. It has to be taken in perspective. I am sure people do fail on occasions.I have had opportunities to get big hauls, and it has not turned around. But I am sure it will turn around.”
When asked about if he plans to go back into county cricket, before the important tour of England in June, Ashwin said, “In all likelihood I will be going back for a few games. The problem is after the IPL, the number of games between June and July is very less. We start on August 1. So there will be about two-three games or four at max. But that will be good practice. I am still talking. If at all I am going, I will be going back to Worcester.”
