By Admin 
The competition to make a place in Team India has always been tough. However, when a player who has been performing consistently well is made to sit out without any solid reason, then questions are bound to be raised. India’s legendary off-spinner and current cricket pundit Ravichandran Ashwin also has a similar belief. Ashwin has openly expressed his displeasure in his YouTube show over keeping fast bowler Arshdeep Singh out of the playing eleven in the first and second ODIs against New Zealand.
Why was R Ashwin furious?
Ashwin believes that the decision to keep a reliable bowler like Arshdeep on the bench continuously is wrong. The team management argued that it was necessary to give match practice to Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, but Ashwin did not seem to agree with this thinking. He says that Arshdeep may become “rusty” due to not playing matches, which means his rhythm and confidence may be affected.
Ashwin said that it is right to give opportunities to new bowlers all the time, but it does not mean that the player who is consistently doing well should be ignored. He raised the question why no one thinks about Arshdeep’s mental condition.
‘It’s a game of confidence’
Ashwin clearly said that cricket is not just a game of skill but of confidence. If a bowler remains out of the team despite performing well, his morale is sure to fall. He also said that such situations often happen only with bowlers and not with batsmen.
Referring to his experience, the former spinner said that he himself has gone through this phase, so he knows how much such decisions affect the players from within.
Preparation for T20 World Cup or mismanagement?
Some people believe that Arshdeep was given rest because he is being saved for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, Ashwin argues that Arshdeep has not been a completely “automatic choice” even in this format, especially after Gautam Gambhir became the coach.
Question on giving chance in third ODI
Ashwin also said that even if Arshdeep is played in the third ODI, the loss of sitting out the first two matches does not go away. He said that the player should get confidence from the beginning, so that he enters the field with his head held high.
In the end, Ashwin clearly said that whenever Arshdeep Singh has got a chance, he has performed brilliantly for the team. He deserves a place with respect in the playing eleven.