As the Virat Kohli-led Indian unit looks to get back to winning ways against New Zealand, former national batting coach Sanjay Bangar has called for Ravichandran Ashwin's return to the side's bowling department.
Varun Chakaravarthy was picked ahead of the experienced tweaker in India's T20 World Cup 2021 opener against Pakistan last week. Chakaravarthy, however, gave away 33 in his four without picking a wicket, making cricket pundits and fans question the team's composition.
Ashwin played his last T20I in 2017 against West Indies at Kingston, in which he gave 39 runs in four overs without getting a wicket.
In his recent Indian Premier League (IPL) outing with Delhi Capitals (DC), the experienced off-spinner took seven wickets in the 13 matches and bowled with an average and economy rate of 47.28 and 7.41 respectively.
India need somebody with temperament and experience
“Varun Chakaravarthy's recent performances in the UAE. He was very effective at Sharjah, but not in Dubai – where this game will be played. Taking into account the importance of the game, the number of matches played by Varun Chakaravarthy is a little less, and his international experience is a little less,” Bangar said on Star Sports.
“For a game of this significance, you would definitely want somebody with temperament and experience. So, in my opinion, Ravichandran Ashwin may get the nod in place of Varun Chakaravarthy,” he added.
While New Zealand have an edge over India in major ICC events, both sides will be under some pressure, having lost their opening matches of the World T20 against the same opposition.
India suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat against the Babar Azam-led side to end their near-three-decade long supremacy in World Cups. Similarly, Kane Williamson's troops floundered to lose to Pakistan by five wickets.
