Chief selector of the Indian cricket team, MSK Prasad has contradicted Ravi Shastri’s statement of Kuldeep Yadav being the number one overseas bowler for Team India by saying that Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the best spinners in the world and India’s No. 1 spin option. Earlier, Shastri had said that Kuldeep is Men in Blue’s frontline overseas spinner as the Indian head coach revealed how he managed to impress him in the Sydney Test against Australia. However, contradicting to Shastri’s statement Prasad stated that Ashwin is their premier spinner.
Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh also agreed with Shastri by saying that Ashwin has lost the race against Kuldeep due to his inconsistency in the Test series against England. Prasad, while lauding Ashwin, further stated that the 32-year-old has so much to offer to Indian cricket and has a lot of cricket left in him.
“Undoubtedly. There are no two ways about it. Ashwin is our No. 1 spinner and he is one of the best spinners in the world. In fact, every country we play, they always plan against Ashwin first compared to other spinners. He is our premier spinner,” Prasad was quoted as saying by Sportstar.
“If we are talking about Ashwin, we are talking about a legendary spinner. We have to accept that first and the number of victories that he has given to us is phenomenal. I am sure as a professional he knows what’s the fitness level that’s expected of him. Injuries are part and parcel of the game of every player. I don’t exactly question as to what happened (with his fitness in England and Australia),” the chief selector added.
“Someone who is exerting is only prone to injuries. Someone who isn’t exerting will not get injured. So, I have no doubt about his commitment. It’s unfortunate but he will come back strong. He has so much cricket left in him and he has so much to offer for Indian cricket,” Prasad stated.
After the New Zealand tour, India will host Australia for two T20Is and five ODIs as the Men in Blue prepare themselves for the upcoming 2019 World Cup.
