R Ashwin : I want to wear the blue jersey and represent India at the World Cup
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed he still harbors hope of making it to the 2019 World Cup squad as he looks to make a comeback to the ODI team. Ashwin heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar who will be crucial in the ongoing UK tour, especially in the death overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin has enjoyed a lot of success across all three formats of the game for India and recently concluded his first season as the captain of Kings XI Punjab. An impressive display with the ball and bat earned him rave reviews and a possible return to the ODI team was also thought to be on the cards for the versatile spinner. But the selectors opted to go along with the wrist spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal instead of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
But the veteran Indian star revealed that he still hopes to represent India across the limited overs format as he spoke about his desire to play at next year’s 2019 ICC ODI World Cup in England.
“It entirely depends on what other people (team management and selectors) perceive of my cricket. It’s definitely not in my control. Like any other cricketer, I want to wear the blue jersey and represent India at the World Cup. That’s obviously there deep within.
“At this stage of my career, physically and mentally, I am just focusing on enjoying my cricket. If I land an opportunity, I want to be in good frame of mind to grab it with both hands,” Ashwin told reporters at the unveiling of his Tamil Nadu Premier League side Dindigul Dragons.
Ashwin added that a limited overs series against an upbeat England side would be a tough task especially after their emphatic win over the Aussies. The KXIP skipper singled-out Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah whose bowling at the death will be crucial in England.
“England is a strong team in the shorter formats. They tweaked their strategy and team combination after the 2015 World Cup. The key for India in ODIs will be Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah’s death overs. Hopefully, it will be a high scoring series.
“We have a good battery of fast bowlers who have done exceedingly well in the South Africa tour. We fancy our chances. Going in the second half of the English summer, the spinners will definitely come into play. I’m not going to set any personal records to achieve,” Ashwin added.
