His skills were not on display in the big tournament – Mohammad Kaif on Ravichandran Ashwin’s performances in T20 World Cup

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif was not impressed with Ravichandran Ashwin’s performances in the T20 World Cup. Ashwin took six wickets in six matches of the T20I showpiece and bowled with an average of 25.83 and an economy rate of 8.15.

Ashwin and Axar Patel were backed ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal, but the finger spinners could not deliver the goods for the team in the T20 World Cup.

Ashwin has a lot of variations under his arsenal but he could not get help from the Australian pitches. In fact, out of Ashwin’s six wickets, five came while playing against the Netherlands and Zimbabwe.

Kaif said while speaking to Sportskeeda: “It is difficult for Ashwin (to play in the next World Cup). There were a lot of hopes from him. Chahal was dropped and Ashwin was preferred ahead of him because he could bat at 8. He brought some balance to the team. But he did not bowl too well. He did not make an impact or turn the ball. His skills were not on display in the big tournament.”

On the other hand, Kaif reckons there were undoubtedly mistakes in the team’s selection as Ravichandran Ashwin was preferred ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal is known to be a wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game while Ashwin is a defensive bowler.

“There will be questions over whether we played our best playing XI. Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid are experienced guys, but there were definitely mistakes in team selection.

“Not only in this tournament but in the previous one as well that was played in the UAE. At the time, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri were in charge. Again, Chahal was not picked,” the former India batter concluded.

India was knocked out of the semi-final against England after they received a thrashing loss of 10 wickets. It was a disappointing performance from the Indian team as their bowling looked toothless while their openers failed to give a good start to the team.

India will now take on New Zealand in the three-match T20I series.