‘Ashwin was too defensive, not looking for wickets’ Kris Srikkanth turns the heat on CSK spinner
In the Chennai Super Kings game against Mumbai Indians that they lost in an one-sided encounter, R Ashwin bowled two tight overs in the powerplay, the 4th and sixth, giving 9 runs. He then had two more – the 8th and 12th- giving 23 runs. Former India opener and selector K Srikkanth isn’t impressed though with Ashwin’s bowling in the game where CSK was trying to defend 176.
“What is Ashwin doing? He has turned all defensive. He is not looking to take wickets. He is like let me get through these four overs. He never went for wicket-taking. Just bowling safe,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’.
When his son Anirudh, former CSK batsman, interjected to say that it was at least good to see Ashwin bowl lot more offspin in the game against Mumbai Indians, Srikkanth re-stressed his point.
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“What was the idea of taking Ashwin today? To get two wickets and win the match. But what did he do? He bowled safely in the powerplay. It didn’t matter to CSK at all. MI also were sensible, taking singles off him. You have to understand the match situation, IPL situation – and bowl accordingly,” Srikkanth said.
In his post match press conference MS Dhoni, CSK’s captain, had talked about the need to get a good team for next season. “What will be important for us is to get the right combination for next year. You don’t want too many players getting changed, what will be important is to try and qualify, but if not get a secured 11 for next year and come back strong,” Dhoni had said.
And Srikkanth had his say on that as well.
“Dhoni has already started talking about next season. That means he is pretty frustrated with this team’s performance. He was right in saying that the guys have to own up and do something fantastic. Where CSK lost is was in the auction itself. If you select Sam Curran, Overton, Tripathi, Hooda, how can you win matches?” Srikkanth said.
Earlier in the month, Srikkanth had questioned how Ashwin was used in the games. “With regards to Ashwin, don’t drop him, but stop him from bowling in the powerplay. Between 7-18th over he can be effective, with Jadeja and Noor Ahmad, they can easily slip in 10 overs at least.”
