India vs England: ‘It’s going to be a hell of a decision’ – Ravichandran Ashwin backs India XI unchanged despite Sanju Samson controversy Cricket News
New Delhi: Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Backing India not to make changes to fourth T20I against England despite team’s poor performance, says sticking with same starting XI will send strong message of stability – even if it means Sanzhou Samson Missed it again.India’s tour of England has turned from a rebuilding opportunity into a battle for survival. After being bowled out in the first game, England won the next two games, including a commanding victory at Trent Bridge, as India were bowled out for just 76, their heaviest defeat in T20I history.With England set to clinch the series after another defeat at Bristol, the pressure is mounting on captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir, with Samson’s absence becoming one of the biggest talking points.
Ashwin backs unchanged XI despite Samson’s appeal
Ashwin said on his YouTube channel that India should resist the temptation to reshuffle the squad despite the poor performance of the batting unit.“In my opinion, the same team should also play the fourth T20I. It will be a strong decision,” Ashwin said. “If we field the same team, then that’s something I’m very, very excited to see. It’s going to mean Tri-State is going to miss out again, but it’s going to be a hell of a decision.”Samson, who played a key role in India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, remains on the sidelines while youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets the nod. After India’s batting failure in Nottingham, many former players and fans called for Samson’s return.However, Ashwin feels that constant changes in the starting XI may create insecurity within the team.“I think in this situation I really hope other players don’t feel unsafe. We should not put others in the position that Samson was in. The team should remain stable,” he said.“I hope they can get back into shape but I really doubt it. Like I said in the Ireland series, I really doubt they can pull off a stunning comeback. I also really doubt they can pull it off here in England. There are still a few games left. I think it will be fun to watch,” he added.
“This hitting unit will get better with experience.”
Ashwin admitted that he had expected England to dominate the series due to the inexperience of India’s batting line-up and the conditions being very different from the IPL.“I didn’t expect this result when the Ireland series started. But after the first T20I, I felt Ireland could win the series. Against England, I felt they would win from the beginning,” he said. “Everyone knows that India’s batting line-up is young. The conditions in the IPL are different. If there is something on the wicket and the conditions are different, it will be difficult for India’s batting line-up.”Despite his concerns, the veteran spinner urged patience with the young squad rather than making wholesale changes.“The batting unit gets better with experience. Consistency is important,” Ashwin said.India now enters the fourth T20I needing a win to retain the five-match series. While demands for Samson to join continue to grow after India’s batting failure, Ashwin feels it is more important to support the current team through the difficult phase rather than making reactive changes.
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