Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has said that he’s disappointed with Ravichandran Ashwin‘s exclusion from India’s squad for the South Africa T20I series. The Men In Blue are set to host the Protea for a 5-match short format series from June 9 to 19th as they resume their preparations for the T20 World Cup following the conclusion of a gruelling, two-month-long IPL 2022.
Ravi Ashwin Was Ignored For IND vs SA T20I Series
Ravichandran Ashwin was one of the stars of Rajasthan Royals‘ success in the tournament, helping the franchise to only their second IPL final, however, they lost it to IPL debutants Gujarat Titans.
Ashwin starred with both bat and ball in the season. He picked 12 wickets at a brilliant economy of 7.5; with the bat came the crucial contributions from Ashwin who was often promoted to either play the role of a pinch-hitter or hold up the innings as RR lacked batting depth. Ashwin scored 191 runs at a strike rate of 141, including a half-century in a match-winning cause.
Last year, at the T20 World Cup, Ashwin had made his return to India’s T20I side after four years. He picked 6 wickets in 3 matches in the World Cup and after that picked 3 wickets in 2 matches in the series vs New Zealand.
However, surprisingly, he has been left out of the T20I squads after that. Against South Africa as well, even though Washington Sundar is also not included, Ashwin didn’t find a place, this has left many puzzled.
Mohammad Kaif Comes Out In Support Of Ashwin
One among those is Mohammad Kaif, who feels India could have easily accommodated Ashwin for the South Africa series given his form in the IPL, and that the off-spinner can bowl in the powerplay too.
“It was disappointing to see Ravichandran Ashwin not being picked. He was in the side for the T20 World Cup last year and even his current form is very good. India could have accommodated Ashwin by leaving one leg spinner out. He can bowl with the new ball in the top six overs and has been batting well too,” Mohammad Kaif told Sportskeeda.
