Heaping praise on Ravichandran Ashwin, India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has said that leaving the veteran spinner out of the playing eleven has been a difficult decision.

Ravichandran Ashwin was not named in India’s preliminary World Cup squad. However, he made it to the final squad after a thigh injury ruled Axar Patel out of the tournament. And the off-spinner managed to find a place in the playing eleven straightaway as he played in India’s World Cup opener against Australia in Chennai. He picked up 1 wicket for 34 runs as India thrashed Australia by six wickets.

The Tamil Nadu star, however, was dropped from the playing eleven for the very next game against Afghanistan in Delhi. There was no place for him in the team for the game against Pakistan either. And with India looking very settled at the time, it would not be surprising if he does not get a game any time soon.

Leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin a tough one:

Speaking on the eve of the match against Bangladesh, Paras Mhambrey began by saying that leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing eleven is tough. Hailing the spinner as world-class, Mhambrey further said that the team management always makes sure that the selection remains team-centric. He also praised the senior spinner for understanding the team management’s position.

“It’s a really tough one. When you have a world-class bowler (like Ashwin) in your 15, and you are unable to give him a game. It’s a tough call and you have to take such calls. 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.

“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. Having someone like that really helps. 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 rigours, and he keeps bowling. He is a great team man. I must compliment that,” he added.

India will take on Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday (October 19). The Men in Blue are eyeing their fourth win in a row in the World Cup.

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