Asia Cup 2023: Ravichandran Ashwin Expresses Frustration Over Criticism of India Players, Attributes It to ‘IPL Rivalry’

Following the announcement of India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023, there has been a lively discussion on social media about the quality of the selected players. While many expected names made the cut, a couple of players were left out. India’s spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin, who is not included in the squad, is displeased with these debates. Ashwin specifically mentioned two players who were chosen for the Asia Cup squad to emphasize his point. One of them is Tilak Varma, who has yet to participate in an ODI match, and the other is Suryakumar Yadav, whose recent ODI performances have been subpar, a fact he himself acknowledges.

Ashwin shared his thoughts on these selections on his YouTube channel: “Tilak hasn’t scored much in the ongoing Ireland series, but his intent from the very first ball is remarkable. This young player approaches his batting with a clear mindset, and his inclusion is attributed to bringing a sense of freshness to the squad’s backup slot. Similar sentiments apply to Surya. He possesses that special ‘x-factor,’ and that’s why the team is supporting his success in the ODI format as well. If we look back at our World Cup victories, whether it’s MS Dhoni or any other captain, they’ve consistently backed their players to perform. While debates on whether a player should be dropped or included are natural, we should recognize Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive track record. He’s a game-changer and a reliable player in T20 matches. I believe this discussion is influenced by the dynamics of the IPL.”

He went on to elaborate on how fans should avoid narrow perspectives driven by their IPL allegiances: “When we enter the World Cup arena, we should view all our players as representatives of India. After the IPL season ends, it’s important to move on from club loyalties and acknowledge a player’s contributions when they represent the national team. Fans continue to engage in unnecessary conflicts even after the IPL concludes.”

“Imagine Suryakumar Yadav batting alongside Virat Kohli in a critical chase. Even if you’re not a Mumbai Indians fan, you would appreciate Suryakumar’s efforts and hope he guides the team to victory, right?”

“The selectors are well-aware of their choices. In a vast country like India, when forming a squad, inevitably some notable players will miss out. Just because your favorite player isn’t in the squad, it doesn’t warrant belittling others.”

India’s Asia Cup 2023 campaign kicks off on September 2 against Pakistan in Colombo.