Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar is not sure whether Ravichandran Ashwin will feature in the playing XI in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE and Oman, scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 14.
Ravichandran Ashwin received a surprise callback in the T20I squad picked for the T20 World Cup 2021. He hasn’t played a white-ball international game since 2017 with his last appearance came against West Indies in July 2017.
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Ashwin warmed the bench throughout the Test series against England which left several cricket experts searching for reasons.
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar believes Ashwin’s inclusion in the T20I squad can be a consolation.
“Ashwin’s return is a good thing but we’ll have to wait and see if he gets a place in the playing XI. You have selected him in the 15, that’s alright, you chose him in the squad in England as well but are not giving him the chance in the XI,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
“So, he’s perhaps just given a consolation cup to make up for the disappointment that he might have here (in England). Will he play in the XI? Only time will tell,” he added.
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MS Dhoni has been appointed as the mentor of Team India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 and will work closely with head coach Ravi Shastri.
“MS Dhoni being the mentor is bigger news than Ashwin’s selection because a captain, who led India to the 2011 World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup wins, if he’s in that camp, then India will immensely benefit from it,” Gavaskar added.
India will begin their campaign with a high-voltage clash against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai. India will try to maintain their unbeaten streak against Pakistan in the World Cups.
