The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had recently announced the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE and Oman. While some names like Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzvendra Chahal were missing from the squad a surprising addition was R Ashwin.

Even though a number of fans and pundits were delighted seeing the veteran off-spinner back in India’s T20I setup, the former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in his latest interaction with Sports Tak, talked about Ashwin’s selection for the showpiece event in middle east.

According to the legendary opener, the off-spinner was handed a ‘consolation cup’ by selectors to make up for his absence in the playing XI during the just concluded England Test series.

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“Ashwin’s return is a good thing but we’ll have to wait and see if he gets a place in the playing XI. You have selected him in the 15, that’s alright, you chose him in the squad in England as well but are not giving him the chance in the XI,” Gavaskar said.

“So, he’s perhaps just given a consolation cup to make up for the disappointment that he might have from here (in England). Will he play in the XI? Only time will tell,” the Mumbai-based cricketer concluded his talk.

The right-arm off-spinner played an important role during the Sydney Test against Aussies during India’s recent tour down under where the subcontinental giants registered their second consecutive Test series win on Australian soil.

As fans were expecting the 34-year-old to dominate in the UK the way he did in the home Test series against England earlier this year, but unfortunately couldn’t find a place in the playing XI in the four Tests as India led 2-1 before the Manchester Test was cancelled.

(With Sports Tak Inputs)