Ashwin and Jadeja have no chance of playing in 2019 World Cup, says Atul Wassan

Ashwin and Jadeja have been a significant cog in team India's wheel over the last five years always showing up whenever asked to, whether it be to kill off a game or save the side from a dire situation. However, BCCI's latest decision to have specialised squads for different formats saw the emergence of Chahal and Yadav, which have isolated the veteran duo from limited-overs format with their place in the 2019 World Cup very much unlikely.

And after Chahal and Kuldeep's recent heroics in South Africa, former Indian pacer Atul Wassan is quite sure the experienced pair are now no more in the thick of things for the 2019 Cricket World Cup that will be held in England.

"Well, people might say diplomatically they have a chance, but I don't see any chance unless one of Kuldeep or Chahal gets injured. One year back, no one would have thought Ashwin and Jadeja would have to fight for their place but that's a healthy competition to have," Wassan told IANS ahead of the launch of Sudama Premier League.

The emergence of the wrist-spinning duo has only added to the veteran players’ misery, as they have managed to destroy the South African batting order, claiming 14 and 16 wickets each over the course of five ODI’s.

Wassan, who is the head of selectors for the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), wants the Indian management team to let the two youngster’s play at least a total of 50 matches ahead of the ICC World Cup to gain as much experience as possible.

"The credit should go to the team management and Virat for backing India's core strength -- spin bowling in alien conditions. And here we have two wrist spinners who have delivered pretty well. I think the management should now let these two play 50-60 games in different conditions before taking them to the World Cup," Wassan said.

India skipper Virat Kohli had also been an advocate of having two wrist spinners in ODI cricket and wanted them to be involved in the build-up to the quadrennial event in England in 2019. However, Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun had recently revealed that the "race is not over yet" for the experienced duo of Ashwin and Jadeja to make a comeback into the Indian squad.