New Delhi: Star India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin pointed finger at team selection following the exclusion of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy from the playing XI in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, despite Hardik Pandya being unavailable. Many had anticipated that Reddy, a pace-bowling all-rounder similar to Pandya, might be part of the playing XI in the series opener on Sunday, but the young player was left on the bench.
“If we are not able to find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in a team that does not have Hardik Pandya, then there is something wrong in the squad selection, seriously. Why was he picked? Because the fact is that he can give what Hardik can give, and can get better over a period of time. But if we can’t find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in this particular XI, then the squad selection must be properly reviewed,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin credited Rohit and Dravid for India’s aggresive batting style
The spin legend added that India’s aggressive batting style, which has yielded significant success, is a credit to former captain Rohit Sharma and ex-head coach Rahul Dravid. The former off-spinner emphasized that the duo not only advocated a more attacking approach but also led from the front.
“Rohit as a captain has always been laying his stamp by showing the team what he wants from it. The transitional batting that India has gone through in T20 cricket and ODI cricket-the way we bat fast-a lot of credit for that goes to Rohit and Rahul bhai,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat.’
“They showed the way. Rahul bhai said this is how we have to play, and Rohit showed the way, paved the way, and eventually it has changed the way India perceived batting. Batting is not average; it is purely strike rate in white-ball cricket,” he added.
India shited to a proactive approach under Rohit and Dravid leadership
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, India shited to a more proactive approach following several underwhelming ICC campaigns. This change was evident in the 2023 ODI World Cup at home, where India dominated the league stage with an aggressive mindset, and later in their 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
With star batter Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now playing only in ODIs after retiring from other formats, Ashwin encouraged fans to enjoy the remaining moments of their international careers.
“I will say one thing: however much time we have to watch and enjoy Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat, please let’s do it because once they are done, we could hear talks like ‘Oh, what a player he was! Please bring him back.’ That doesn’t cut ice for me,” Ashwin said.
“For however long they play, let us celebrate them as long as they are playing. As I said, life moves on very fast. Time does not wait for anyone. It is very important that we realise that the time is less. So it is better that we enjoy whatever they are doing.”
