R Ashwin calls India star “amateurish”, backs Arshdeep for Asia Cup final vs Pakistan
R Ashwin calls India star “amateurish”, backs Arshdeep for Asia Cup final vs Pakistan
Ravichandran Ashwin pulled no punches after India’s nerve‑shredder against Sri Lanka, calling Harshit Rana’s spell “really amateurish” and urging the team management to pick Arshdeep Singh for the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. The former India offspinner also laid out exactly why India should prioritise specialist bowling quality over extra batting at No. 8 in a high‑pressure title clash.
Why Ashwin was unhappy
On his show “Ash Ki Baat,” Ashwin dissected Harshit’s four overs for 54 in the Sri Lanka thriller. He said the pattern of “one fast, one slow, one fast, one slow” made the 23‑year‑old too predictable, especially to a set Pathum Nissanka who was reading pace changes early.
“The mistakes made by Harshit against Sri Lanka were really amateurish… He was just bowling slower balls after delivering a fast‑paced delivery. One fast, one slow, one fast, and one slow. That is a really amateurish way of playing cricket. He should really learn from this.”
Ashwin was sympathetic about rhythm—“It is not easy to play one match and then sit out”—but stressed that predictability in international death overs gets punished.
What happened vs Sri Lanka
India hammered 202 batting first, yet the game went to a Super Over after Pathum Nissanka’s sublime century took Sri Lanka level. Harshit leaked 44 in his first three overs and finished with 1 for 54. In the Super Over, Arshdeep conceded just two runs and took two wickets, setting up a one‑ball finish for Suryakumar Yadav’s side. Those 12 balls became the centrepiece of Ashwin’s selection message for the final.
“Don’t bench Arshdeep”
Ashwin’s plea was unambiguous: pick Arshdeep Singh. He argued that a marginal batting gain at No. 8 isn’t worth more than a frontline left‑arm seamer’s impact across powerplay, middle, and the last five overs.
“Even if you wake me up from deep sleep, my answer won’t change: Arshdeep must play… Don’t even think of benching Arshdeep.”
He added that India should invest a little time in improving tail‑enders’ batting (Arshdeep, Varun Chakravarthy) for the World Cup runway, rather than compromising bowling quality in the XI.
Selection watch for the final
Bumrah back: Jasprit Bumrah’s return restores new‑ball control and death assurance.
Arshdeep’s angle: Late swing, cutters into the pitch, and the left‑arm angle to Pakistan’s right‑hand heavy batting.
Hardik’s fitness: If Hardik Pandya is fully fit, India can run a 3‑seamers + 2‑spinners combo; if not, Ashwin’s case for Arshdeep grows stronger.
Wrist‑spin bite: Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy have dominated Asia Cup middle overs; expect them to target Fakhar Zaman and Pakistan’s middle with attacking fields.
No. 8 debate: Bowling potency over marginal batting—Ashwin’s core argument—should guide the final XI.
What Harshit can learn—fast
Hide the change‑ups: Stack similar speeds before a late, disguised variation; don’t telegraph patterns.
Work the field, not just the pitch: Set the slower ball up with a fuller length or into‑the‑hips bouncer, not a 50‑50 slot pace‑off.
Read the batter: If the batter is opening the off side early, go hard back‑of‑length on the hip; if planting front‑leg, fire a yorker that follows the feet.
India’s mindset and momentum
India are unbeaten, have beaten Pakistan twice this tournament, and have found a powerplay engine in Abhishek Sharma with Shubman Gill for elite tempo. BCCI vice‑president Rajeev Shukla praised the team’s “good combination” and said he’s “very confident” they will lift the Cup. The final, the first India–Pakistan title clash in the 41‑year history of the Asia Cup, adds glitter—and scrutiny—to every selection call.
Key questions for match day
Can India front‑load again and take the game away inside 10 overs?
Will the management back Ashwin’s call and lock Arshdeep alongside Bumrah?
Can Pakistan’s top order withstand Kuldeep–Varun in overs 7–15 without giving India a chokehold?
The headline from Ashwin is simple: bowling wins finals. Pick the best four and trust the batters to finish the job.