Ravichandran Ashwin has not represented India in limited overs cricket since July
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Ravichandran Ashwin has been a regular face in India’s Test squad, but not so much so in limited overs cricket in the last few months.
While this may perplex some people, given how good of a spinner he is, Ashwin has no problem not representing India in ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals for the time being.
In fact, the 31-year-old is “not desperate” to return as he knows an opportunity will pop up at some point in the future.
Ashwin has only featured in 15 of the 47 ODIs India has played since the 2015 World Cup and in his absence, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have done an excellent job.
When asked about his limited overs career, Ashwin was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying: “I am not desperate at all. One day, the opportunity will come knocking on my door because I haven’t done too much wrong. So when I get the opportunity and when I am put in an occasion, I will probably try and raise my game to the best of my ability.”
India’s chairman of selectors MSK Prasad and head coach Ravi Shastri have both confirmed that they want the fittest players representing the country at the 2019 World Cup.
Ashwin would no doubt want to feature in the next World Cup, but how does he rate his fitness at the moment?
“I am a man for systems and any system put in place, I would strive my level best to try and match up to it,” he said. “Every leader has his own vision of how to bring the team about. This is the vision of the current leadership group and it’s important to respect it.
“I have been in great conditioning ever since I missed the IPL. I have trained madly. You have to take the (Yo-Yo test) and decide how it goes. But I am completely in compliance with it.”
India have a number of tough overseas Test series coming up as they will take on South Africa, England and Australia.
With the pitches in those countries being less spin-friendly than those in India, Ashwin knows that he may not be as successful with the ball.
“For me, its all about bowling well and trying to get into top rhythm,” he said. “It is about constantly revisiting my best. Maybe, I will not be the type of attacking bowler when we tour abroad. I need to do a good holding role.”