Ravichandran Ashwin has found himself competing for the sole spinner’s spot with Ravindra Jadeja in the first XI. While sometimes it’s the left-armer who gets the nod by the skipper Kohli and the team management, on other occasions, it’s the right-armer.
Speaking to Hindustan Times about the situation, Ashwin admitted that he does feel hurt to be dropped but has often bounced back, just like England pacer Stuart Broad did in the recently concluded series against West Indies.
“One feels dejected and disappointed when dropped. But that is how the sport is. This happens. Take the recent example of Stuart Broad. He was dropped from the first Test against the West Indies and ended up making a great comeback in the next game. I too have swung between those extremes. Either I take five-wicket hauls or I get dropped. I just don’t let the negativity get to me,” said Ashwin.
Broad was left out of England’s playing XI for the series opener against Windies in Southampton — the only Test the hosts lost in the series — before bouncing back in the second and third Test that saw him even reach 500 scalps in the longest format.
“I like to believe I can play T20s and ODIs for India. I believe in my skills. I would like to take this belief to my grave also that, ‘yes, I can play in all formats’. Last season, I did pretty well for KXIP and I feel there is a lot of white-ball cricket left in me. I am always hopeful and up for the challenge,” the 33-year-old asserted.
