India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has heaped praise on R Ashwin, calling him a “great team man” who has never been “grumpy” over being benched. Ashwin was added to India’s World Cup 2023 squad in the eleventh hour after an injury to Axar Patel, who was originally picked in the 15-man squad. The off-spinner played a series against Australia in September, which was also his first assignment in an ODI since January 2022.
However, the team management, including head coach Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, backed the off-spinner’s experience, saying he was always in their contingency plans. Ashwin was into the playing XI straightaway for their first World Cup 2023 match against Australia in Chennai. He picked up a wicket, but did not play against Afghanistan in Delhi and Pakistan in Ahmedabad.
“When you have a world-class bowler (like Ashwin) in your 15, and you are unable to give him a game. I think the conversation has always been team-centric. All the decisions that we have taken, not only before this game but over the last few years are based on the team. We go with the side that’s best for the surface, and the best combination,” Mhambrey said, stressing that the team is not looking to rotate bowlers as early as the 3d match in the tournament.
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He further added, “And in that sense, he has been a great lad, he understands that. He is a great team guy. I have never seen him grumpy, never seen him complaining anytime for any of the last few years, he has been with us. And I think credit goes to him. Even after so many years, he is there, he wants to do well for the team, he turns up every practice session, goes through the rigors, and he keeps bowling. He is a great team man. I must compliment that.”
Meanwhile, Paras Mhambrey also spoke about the difficult decision to keep a bowler like Mohammed Shami out of the XI, adding that all these decisions are taken keeping the condition-specific combination in mind. Shami, who picked up a 5-wicket haul in an ODI series against Australia last month, has not yet featured in the XI in the World Cup.
“Honestly, it’s never an easy decision. But I think we had a clear chat with him (Shami), whenever we select a squad, the messages from us are very clear. We pick a squad which feel is best for that wicket. Someone like him will miss out, someone like Ash will miss out, that’s a communication that we have with him. It’s a difficult decision with the quality that he brings to the team with the new ball, at the death. You only have 11 on the field,” Paras Mhambrey said.
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Mhambrey’s praise for Ashwin is a testament to the off-spinner’s professionalism and dedication to the team. Even though he has not been a regular fixture in the ODI side in recent years, Ashwin has always been ready to answer his country’s call. He is a valuable asset to the team, and his experience will be crucial in India’s quest to win the World Cup.
