Yuzvendra Chahal may play against Bangladesh; Ashwin needs to come good as a bowler: Wasim Jaffer

Despite doing decently well in the T20 World Cup 2022 thus far, Ravichandran Ashwin’s position in the starting XI seems to be under threat. The off-spinner conceded 43 runs in his four overs against South Africa in the previous match and ever since that, Yuzvendra Chahal is being talked about to potentially replace Ashwin in the XI.

Coming into the T20 World Cup, Chahal was the favourite to start but that hasn’t been the case so far. The team management is backing Ashwin as he can be extremely economical with the ball and can also prove to be a handy lower-order batter.

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer, however, believes that Ashwin needs to do more with at the bowling front. He has done well so far but when it comes to taking wickets in the middle overs, Ashwin has failed to make his mark. Thus, Jaffer wants Ashwin to do well and pick wickets in the middle to put the opposition under pressure.

“Maybe Yuzvendra Chahal can play, you never know. It’a a small boundary at the Adelaide Oval and there are multiple left-handed batters in the Bangladesh team. Both of their openers are left-handers and Afif Hossain too is a left-handed batter. So maybe, Ashwin is needed there but Ashwin needs to come good as a bowler.

He’s economical but I think India probably wants him to pick wickets in the middle overs. It’s important you know, being economical sometimes is not good, it just drags the match. India need wickets in the middle, so if Ashwin plays, I think he needs to pick up wickets,” said the former cricketer on BatBricks7 presents Run Ki Runneeti show on CricTracker.

Ashwin may contribute with the bat in the lower middle order: Jaffer

With Ravindra Jadeja’s injury, India currently lacks a cricketer who can contribute with the bat and ball on a regular basis. Axar Patel definitely is someone who can do so but he’s yet to prove himself under pressure. Ashwin, on the other hand, has played multiple match-winning knocks which have eventually helped India win matches.

Even against Pakistan earlier in the tournament, the 36-year-old showed enough maturity to script a four wicket win in favour of the Men in Blue. Thus, he is someone who can contribute significantly with the bat and thus, Jaffer backs him for the position.

“Ashwin’s batting may help India in the lower order. He can contribute with the bat at number seven or eight. Post Ashwin, there’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar as well. So, there’s a comfort factor for the batters as well as they will be confident that the tailenders won’t directly come into the picture after number six,” said Jaffer on the same show.

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