It’s been two days since Ravichandran Ashwin was picked in the team as the replacement player for Axar Patel in the World Cup squad. While some found the move very very smart, other experts did not like the fact that Ashwin got into the squad without playing a considerable amount of ODIs in 2023. Yuvraj Singh also stated that Ashwin should not have been picked and for that matter, Washington Sundar should have been picked.
“With Axar not there, we have to wait and see who will bat at No. 7. I was thinking if Washington Sundar would have played in place of Axar then India would have had another left-hander. But unfortunately, he did not get picked, and so did Yuzvendra Chahal. But otherwise, I feel the combination is fine,” he said in a chat with Hindustan Times Digital.
For the uninitiated, Ashwin played the ODI series against Australia and picked up four wickets. The off-spinner showed great control and variations and was threatening to the left-handers. However, before the Australia series during the Asia Cup, Sundar was called in for cover for Axar Patel. Sundar played the final against Sri Lanka and also played the last ODI against Australia.
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Yuvraj felt with Sundar first being preferred over Axar, he should have also replaced him in the World Cup. However, India chose to go with more experience over youth.
Yuvraj Singh: Why Yuvraj Singh feels Sundar should have replaced Axar Patel in the WC squad
Yuvraj feels Sundar has more batting potential than Ashwin. Also, like Axar, Sundar is a left-hand batter.
The former cricketer feels having a left-hand option at the top is a good asset to India as nullifies the off-spin threat.
Ashwin is more off s bowling all-rounder, while Sundar is a batting all-rounder.
Also, Sundar is pretty beneficial in the power play and has an economy rate of under six runs per over.
India went with Ashwin as the replacement as he has a huge amount of experience, and also due to him being a big threat against left-handers.
