Virender Sehwag has hit out at a legendary Indian cricketer for his loss statement on the importance of wickets in T20 cricket. Ravichandran Ashwin has taken just 2 wickets in 8 matches for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League 2024.
He has been expensive in a few games as well. Sehwag said Ashwin doesn’t want to take wickets as he fears getting hit by lesser-known players.
Viru also predicted that the champion off-spinner might go unsold in the next auction if his wicket column remains dry in the 17th season.
“He was dropped from Team India after the 2017 Champions Trophy because the wickets were not coming in the middle overs. Ashwin tries to contain the batters and other bowlers are hit for fours and sixes because of him. He has enough experience to escape from the brutal hitting of the batters. Still, the others are not smart and are taken for plenty because the willow holders want to compensate for missing out on scoring opportunities against Ashwin.
“Even if you are hit, you should look to take wickets,” Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
Sehwag was informed about Ashwin’s statement that taking wickets is unimportant in T20 cricket.
“He is making a loose statement like KL Rahul. KL once said that the strike rate is overrated in the T20 format. If I were the coach or mentor of the franchise, I would never pick Ashwin in the Playing XI.
“Ashwin might go unsold in the next auction if he doesn’t take wickets in IPL 2024,” he added.
Manoj Tiwary suggested that R Ashwin should rest himself for two or three matches to return to wicket-taking form in the cash-rich league.