Virender Sehwag recently raised concerns about Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance in the current IPL season. Ashwin, known for his prowess as a spin-bowling all-rounder, has had a tough time, managing only two wickets in eight matches and conceding over nine runs per over. Despite his struggles, Ashwin expressed that taking wickets in T20 matches isn’t crucial. Sehwag, in response, was critical of Ashwin’s statement, suggesting that his form might lead to him being overlooked in the upcoming auction.
Sehwag didn’t hold back in his criticism of Ashwin’s approach to T20 bowling, especially pointing out Ashwin’s comment echoing KL Rahul’s controversial statement about strike rates. Ashwin had suggested that taking wickets in T20s is inconsequential, a stance Sehwag strongly disagreed with. Sehwag emphasized the necessity for bowlers to adopt an aggressive mindset, prioritizing wicket-taking over solely trying to restrict runs.
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He drew parallels between Ashwin’s remarks on wicket-taking in T20s and KL Rahul’s controversial stance on strike rates. He emphasized that just as Rahul’s comments were criticized for batting, Ashwin’s perspective on bowling effectiveness is similarly contentious. Sehwag stressed the importance of a bowler’s impact, suggesting that if Ashwin’s statistics don’t improve, it could affect his future in the IPL auctions. He highlighted the significance of bowlers delivering match-winning performances by taking wickets rather than merely focusing on economy rates.
Sehwag didn’t mince his words when criticizing Ashwin’s mindset, pointing out that his competitors like Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been consistently taking wickets. Sehwag highlighted Ashwin’s reliance on his carrom ball, suggesting that his hesitation to rely on his off-spin or doosra might be hindering his wicket-taking ability. He emphasized that a bowler prioritizing economy over wickets might struggle to secure a place in the team. As a mentor or coach, Sehwag implied, he wouldn’t endorse such a defensive approach from a bowler.
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