India has to back Ashwin in shorter formats: Saqlain

Ashwin, a regular in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been kept out in white ball cricket since July 2017. Same was the case with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, but he is back playing all three formats. “Class is permanent whether you are a finger-spinner or wrist-spinner. Your skills and game reading abilities matter a lot. I was surprised when Ashwin was sidelined from one-day cricket,” said Saqlain.

“He knows how to get batsmen out in the fiveday game, which is much tougher than limited overs cricket. Anyone can do the containment job but someone who knows how to take wickets can also contain. He knows both. How can you keep him out? You have to back your best players.” Seeking more variety, the selectors opted for wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal after the 2017 Champions Trophy. They both have established themselves in limited overs cricket but have not featured in the eleven together since the 2019 World Cup. Though Ashwin remains India’s No.1 spinner at home, he is not a sure starter in overseas Test matches.

He was benched for the two-Test series in the West Indies last year, and more recently, played a Test in New Zealand in the two-match series with Jadeja playing the other one. “India sidelined Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) at the expense of Ashwin back then. After Ashwin, India has tried many off-spinners but none of them have been of his class.

“In fact, I was surprised when a great like Bhajji was dropped. Both Ashwin and Bhajji have different styles and could have easily played together in the eleven. If two right-hand pacers can play regularly, why not spinners?” asked Saqlain. “Such was Bhajji’s class that he could have easily taken 700 Test wickets (ended at 413 wickets in 103 Tests),” he said referring to Harbhajan, who plays only IPL.

Saqlain was part of a world-class bowling attack but now Pakistan doesn’t have spinners of his pedigree. The 43-year-old felt India still possesses quality spinners despite the departure of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan.

“The spinners India has are pretty good. Kuldeep has been impressive, Ashwin and Jadeja have been doing well consistently. They are world-class bowlers. In fact, Pakistan is struggling a bit on that front. Yasir Shah has done well, but his form has dipped recently. Shadab Khan is still a work in progress. I am pretty confident that Ashwin and Jadeja will end up playing 100 Tests each,” said Saqlain.