WI v IND: I hope Ravichandran Ashwin gets to play more in SENA countries in WTC 2023-25 cycle, says Saba Karim

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim is hopeful that Ravichandran Ashwin gets to play more in the SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle 2023-25.

Ashwin was recently dropped in the World Test Championship final 2021-23 against Australia, which India lost by a massive margin of 209 runs. The veteran off-spinner also shared his disappointment after missing out on the final XI.

In fact, Ashwin also could not get his chances in playing XI on India’s tour of England in 2021 in the four Test matches. Ashwin has all the experience under his belt and he has definitely improved his performances while playing in alienate conditions.

Meanwhile, Ashwin bagged a total of 12 wickets in the first Test match against the West Indies at Windsor Park, Dominica, which India won by an innings and 141 runs. The off-spinner had figures of 5-60 in the first innings and then returned with 7-71 in the second dig.

Saba Karim tipped Ashwin as the No.1 match-winner for India.

“Let’s not have any doubt about it. He is arguably the No. 1 match-winner for India,” Saba Karim told JioCinema.

“I hope that in this World Test Championship cycle, he gets to play in the SENA countries even when India goes in with a solitary spinner. I think that’s the biggest call that the Indian team management has to take,” Saba Karim added.

The former Indian selector added that India needs Ashwin in prime form if they are to once again qualify for the next final of the World Test Championship in 2025.

“There is a constant evolvement of R Ashwin, we have seen that in the past few years. For him to understand the shifting paradigm of international cricket and understand how to become a better bowler and how to get rid of good batters of spin bowling, we have seen over the past few years.

“For India to remain in contention to qualify once again for the World Test Championship final, you need someone like R Ashwin to be in prime form.”

Ashwin had proved his mettle in the WTC 2021-23 cycle, picking 61 wickets in just 13 Tests but he was not backed in the final against Australia.