Bishan Singh Bedi feels Ashwin shouldn't worry about not playing ODIs and T20

Former legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi believes that India’s ace spinner in Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin, should not lose sleep over losing his place in the limited over format. He also stated that Ashwin is a class apart and if he works on his fitness, he would play more games for India.

BCCI’s Chairman of Selectors, MSK Prasad and captain Virat Kohli have been adamant to try out new combinations in the upcoming matches, keeping an eye on the upcoming World Cup of 2019. As a result, they have given opportunities to the likes of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Ahead of the high-profile series against Australia, the two formidable spinners in Tests were overlooked and the selectors have stuck with the bunch of young spinners especially after their poor form in limited over cricket in the recent times. Both Ashwin and Jadeja had an uneventful Champions Trophy and bilateral series prior to the tournament.

Its all about wickets: Bedi

That said, former legendary offie Bishan Singh Bedi feels that the ace spinner should not worry about his non-selection in ODIs and T20s. “He’s (Ashwin) a class above (the rest). If I was Ashwin, I’d not lose my sleep over (not playing ODIs and T20s). He’s an intelligent bowler,” claimed Bedi according to Sportstar Live.

“But it’s all about wickets, wickets, wickets. That’s just one part of Ashwin’s game. What me the most is Ashwin’s IQ and attitude towards the game. If you’re bowling 4 overs in a T20 game, then you must bowl 12 overs in practice sessions. If you’re bowling 25-30 overs in Tests, then you must be able to bowl three times that in practice.”

The common perception of Ashwin failing in away matches and only being limited to subcontinental conditions is what Bedi believes is a part of media hype. Bedi claimed with Ashwin’s talent, he’d do well in South Africa, Australia and England as well.