IND vs NZ: Aakash Chopra analyzes Ravichandran Ashwin's “phenomenal” comeback in T20Is
Ahead of the third T20I between India and New Zealand at Eden Gardens, former Indian hit Aakash Chopra analyzed Ravichandran Ashwin's "phenomenal" return to the game's shortest format. He explained that the experienced off-spinner had done nothing else, nor had he "rediscovered something". Ashwin, who hadn't played a T20I since 2016, was named to India's squad for the T20 World Cup in the UAE. After missing the first two games of the tournament against Pakistan and New Zealand, Ashwin played in the third game against Afghanistan with a number of 2/14.
He has since played four more games, including the first two games of the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand, winning nine wickets in 20 overs at an economy rate of 5.25 and without hitting a single six.
"Ashwin has been phenomenal in the last five games, if we see from the game against Afghanistan to the second T20I. He played five games on the go, was frugal every time and picked up wickets every time. Everyone asks." How did Ashwin manage to turn it around? But he has not rediscovered anything, "said Chopra in a video that was uploaded to his YouTube channel.
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Chopra also highlighted that Ashwin has also remained constant in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the past decade. For the record, the 35-year-old has selected 35 wickets with a savings rate of 7.45 in the last three IPL seasons and conceded a limit for every eight balls.
“He hadn't gone anywhere; the voters did not choose him. If you see his record over the past eight to ten years, when was Ashwin hit at the IPL? the commentator-turned cricketer added. "He was a four-over banker even when he was kicked off the team. He never gives more than 25-30 runs from his odds of four. Everyone gets hit every now and then, but he also takes wickets," added Chopra added.
Chopra signed that Ashwin's remarkable return to T20Is did not surprise him, and also pointed out that his performance only reflects the experience he has gained.
"He can bowl at different stages of the inning - with the new ball, in the middle, and even bowling until the 15th or 16th. The cunning and quality he has in store doesn't even surprise me that Ashwin does." is so good, "he concluded.