IPL 2024: Sehwag blasts on Ashwin's form and approach
Xtra Time Web Desk: Legendary former Indian cricket, Virender Sehwag, has raised concerns over the performance and tactics of seasoned spin-bowling all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, in the IPL 2024. Ashwin's struggle to make an impact with the ball has been evident, having secured only two wickets in eight matches while conceding over nine runs per over. Despite his lacklustre performance, Ashwin has brushed off the importance of taking wickets in T20 cricket. Sehwag has strongly criticized this stance, suggesting that Ashwin's approach may affect his market value in the upcoming auction. Sehwag particularly highlighted Ashwin's remark, echoing KL Rahul's controversial statement regarding strike rates, indicating that taking wickets in T20s is inconsequential.
Sehwag vehemently disagreed with Ashwin's viewpoint, emphasizing the significance of bowlers adopting an aggressive mindset to secure wickets rather than solely focusing on restricting runs. This critique underscores the ongoing debate surrounding Ashwin's form and strategy in the high-intensity environment of T20 cricket.
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"This is the same as when KL Rahul had said that the strike rate doesn't matter. Same thing. He said it for batting, Ashwin has said it for bowling that it doesn't matter if you get the wickets. If his stats aren't good, then he may not even get picked in the auction next year. When you pick a bowler, do you expect him to give away 25-30 runs or do you expect him to give you wickets and become man of the match twice or thrice?" Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
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Sehwag slammed Ashwin for his mindset, noting that his teammates, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, had been picking wickets at regular intervals. "All his competitors - Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav or anyone else - are getting the wickets. He thinks if he bowls off spin then anyone will hit him. Which is why he bowls his carrom bowl, which is why he is not getting any wickets. Maybe if he believes in his off spin or doosra, he can bag more wickets. But that's his mindset. But if I were a mentor or a coach of a franchise, I wouldn't think like that. If my bowler is thinking about saving runs and not taking wickets, he won't find a place in the team," he added.
