Over the years, R Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been some of the biggest names in Indian cricket, at different times. Talking specifically only about the white-ball cricket, all are active IPL players, and in fact Ashwin was even part of India’s 2023 World Cup campaign as well. But for different reasons, the trio might have just played their last in the limited-overs formats, as far as Team India is concerned. And there’s strong reasoning for it too.
Veterans Still Going Strong?
There’s no doubt that Bhuvi, Ashwin, and DK are all good enough to get into the 50-overs and 20-overs sides, but the team seems to have moved on. In fact, Karthik was the dark horse to make Team India as the second wicket-keeper with some fine performances in IPL 2024 for RCB. In 10 matches, he has scored 262 runs, at an average of over 52, and a strike rate of 195. But he was eventually pipped by Sanju Samson.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, on the other hand, has been a bit expensive for SRH, but no one can question his ability in the powerplay and the death overs. This year, he might have given runs at 10 rpo, but his economy of under 7 in T20Is is stellar. Similar is the case with R Ashwin..his wicket-taking ability with the white-ball might have dwindled a bit, but he still boasts of a solid T20I record.
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In IPL 2024, he has picked up only two wickets in eight games, but his economy of 9 shows that he has managed to contain runs for the team. Moreover, he has picked 72 wickets in 65 matches in T20Is, at an economy of 6.91 rpo. This just shows how good these three have been.
But Youngsters Have Taken Their Spots in T20 World Cup Squad
Let’s just say that Sanju Samson has taken over from Karthik, then it is Yuzvendra Chahal in the place of R Ashwin, and Siraj in place of Bhuvneshwar. The trio have never played for the country in the T20I World Cup, and this could be there moment to shine. They have proven time and again that they deserve to be in the team, over the veteran trio of Ashwin, Karthik and Bhuvi.
Siraj, Chahal & Samson Exceptional
In the nine matches Samson has played in this IPL, he has scored 385 runs at an average of 77, that is better than what Karthik has managed. Chahal, on the other hand is one of the leading wicket-takers this season. In nine matches, he has 13 wickets, at an economy of 9. Siraj has six wickets in nine matches, at an economy of 9.50, better than Bhuvi this year. So, their selection over the veterans is justified.
But For all you know, these three might make a comeback to the Indian team sooner rather than later, but their exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad is an indication enough, that their time is done.
