Ashwin vs Jaiswal’s Man of the Match Controversy

On July 16, 2023

Ashwin vs Jaiswal’s Man of the Match Controversy

In a thrilling test match against the West Indies, Ravichandran Ashwin’s extraordinary bowling performance left cricket enthusiasts in awe. He took a total of 12 wickets in the match, with 5 wickets in the first innings and 7 wickets in the second. Despite his outstanding achievement, the man of the match award went to debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal for his exceptional 171-run innings. This decision raised eyebrows and sparked a heated debate among cricket fans and experts.

A Star in the Making: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Marathon Innings

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young Indian cricketer, displayed remarkable composure and skill during his innings. Scoring an impressive 171 runs, he demonstrated his potential as a future star in the world of cricket. Jaiswal’s innings allowed India to build a solid foundation and set a challenging target for the West Indies. His performance garnered well-deserved attention and admiration from fans and cricket pundits alike.

Ashwin’s Bowling Masterclass

Amidst Jaiswal’s heroics, Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his exceptional bowling prowess. He dismantled the West Indies batting line-up, taking crucial wickets that played a pivotal role in India’s victory. Ashwin’s bowling spell restricted the West Indies to a mere 150 runs in the first innings, setting the stage for India’s dominant position in the match.

The Man of the Match Controversy

Despite Ashwin’s exceptional performance, the man of the match award was bestowed upon Yashasvi Jaiswal. This decision sparked controversy among cricket enthusiasts, with many questioning the criteria used to determine the recipient of the prestigious award. Some argued that Ashwin’s impact on the match’s outcome was more significant, given that he took 60% of the opposition’s wickets whereas Jaiswal’s batting score contribution was just about 40.5%, which still makes a big difference of 19.5% in favor of Ashwin’s match-winning contribution.

The Role of Context in the Decision

One factor that played a role in the man of the match decision was the context in which Yashasvi Jaiswal’s innings took place. Since Ashwin had already reduced the West Indies to a low score, the pressure on Jaiswal was comparatively lower when he stepped onto the crease. This allowed him to bat at his own leisurely pace, contributing to his impressive performance. While Ashwin’s bowling set the stage for India’s win, Jaiswal’s innings was seen as the icing on the cake.

Acknowledging Ashwin’s Impact

While Jaiswal’s innings stole the limelight, it is essential to recognize Ashwin’s exceptional contribution to the match. His 12-wicket haul played a vital role in dismantling the West Indies batting line-up and giving India a dominant position in the game. Ashwin’s ability to take wickets consistently, even on challenging pitches, is a testament to his skills and experience as a bowler.

The Debate Continues

The man of the match controversy involving Ravichandran Ashwin and Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to be a topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts for a long time. Some argue that the impact of a bowler’s performance is often undervalued compared to a batsman’s innings. Others believe that Jaiswal’s debut innings deserved the accolades it received, regardless of the context.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the first test match against the West Indies witnessed exceptional performances from both Ravichandran Ashwin and Yashasvi Jaiswal. While Ashwin’s brilliant bowling set the stage for India’s victory, Jaiswal’s debut innings left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. The man of the match controversy highlights the subjective nature of such decisions, often influenced by the context in which players perform. Ultimately, both players showcased their talent and potential, enriching the spirit of cricket.

Ignoring Excellence, Embracing Mediocrity

By Bhaskar

On July 16, 2023

In Cricket

Ignoring Excellence, Embracing Mediocrity

It is utterly perplexing that the team management, including captain Rohit Sharma, senior batsman Virat Kohli, and coach Rahul Dravid, consistently overlook Ashwin’s brilliance in favor of mediocre pacemen. Ashwin’s records and match-winning performances speak for themselves, making it all the more baffling why he is sidelined time and again for bowlers with fewer accomplishments.

Unmatched Brilliance, Unworthy Treatment

Ashwin’s ability to weave magic with the ball, confounding batsmen with his variations and spin, is a cricketing gem that has gone underappreciated. His numerous Man of the Series awards and record-breaking achievements are unparalleled, yet the team management seems to turn a blind eye to his talent, opting for lackluster pacers instead.

Bias Distorting Selections

The bias against spinners is evident in the team selections, where Ashwin’s name is consistently missing, while far less deserving pacemen with few dozen of wickets are given preferential treatment. This distorted approach in team selections undermines the credibility of Indian cricket and casts a shadow of doubt on the competence of the team management and questions their intentions if they want India to win or play their team.

Pacemen Fever: Blind to Spin Wizardry

The obsession with pace bowlers seems to blind the team management to the wizardry that Ashwin brings to the game, even Axar Patel is forever on the sidelines. While fast bowlers might grab attention with their pace and aggression, it should not come at the expense of ignoring the artistry and intellect that a skilled spinner like Ravichandran Ashwin brings to the field.

The Need for Accountability

It is high time the team management is held accountable for their prejudiced decisions. The constant sidelining of Ashwin and the lack of appreciation for his contributions raise serious questions about the transparency and fairness of the selection process.

Celebrating Excellence, Not Mediocrity

Cricket is a team sport that demands a meritocratic approach, where talent and performance should dictate team selections. The unwarranted preference for ordinary pacemen, while dismissing the brilliance of world no. 1 spinner, is an insult to the sport itself.

Conclusion

The harsh truth is that Indian cricket has been plagued by an unjust bias against spinners, with Ravichandran Ashwin being the most prominent victim of this malpractice followed by Axar Patel’s and Kuldeep Yadav’s. All three spinners grab more than 4 wickets per test match whereas none of the pacemen who play for India take more than 3 wickets a test on an average, some are hovering just above 2. Ashwin’s exceptional talent of grabbing more than 5 wickets in a test match is the best in the world now, unmatched achievements, and match-winning prowess deserve recognition and appreciation, not neglect and ignorance. It is time for the team management to wake up from their pacemen fever and embrace the true gems of Indian cricket—spinners like Ashwin, who enrich the sport with their brilliance. Failure to acknowledge and celebrate his excellence is not only a disservice to Ashwin but also a disgrace to the spirit of cricket. The time for change is now; let us stand up against this bias and demand the rightful place of our spin wizard in Indian cricket history.

Is there a North-South divide in Indian Cricket?

By Bhaskar

On July 16, 2023

In Cricket

Is there a North-South divide in Indian Cricket?

Introduction

Indian cricket has always been a stage for extraordinary talents, with players from diverse backgrounds showcasing their skills. However, there has been a persistent undercurrent of the North-South divide in the cricketing landscape. South Indian players often feel they have to work harder to gain national recognition compared to their Hindi-speaking counterparts. Ravichandran Ashwin, the brilliant Tamil cricketer, has been a victim of this divide despite being one of the most intelligent and skilled players in the team.

The Donkey’s Job and Selfless Contribution

Anil Kumble a mentor of Ashwin, a cricketing legend, once held the captaincy when he was about to retire. He had shouldered the “donkey’s job” for the Indian bowling department for years, selflessly giving his all for the team. Similarly, Ashwin, with his exceptional off-spin bowling, has been a match-winner for India on record number of occasions. However, despite his dedication and consistent performance, he has been overlooked for leadership positions in the national team.

A Tale of Two Vice-Captains

Ashwin’s exclusion from leadership roles becomes even more evident when comparing his case with that of other players. Ajinkya Rahane, who was dropped from the team 1.5 years ago, was called back and handed the vice-captaincy after just one good test match performance in the WTC 2023 final. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah, with less experience than Ashwin, was given the captaincy for a test match in England before. While Rishabh Pant was appointed vice-captain before, Ashwin, despite his vast experience, was not even considered for such responsibilities.

Undervalued Brilliance and Records

Ashwin’s cricketing intelligence and exceptional skills have earned him a record number of Man of the Series performances in Test cricket. He has consistently shown his ability to be a match-winner, often turning the match in India’s favor with his remarkable performances. However, despite being the best bowler for India in the WTC 2021 final, he was inexplicably dropped from the playing 11, in the following 4 test matches, leaving fans and experts baffled.

The Ravindra Jadeja Comparison

One of the striking instances of bias is the preference given to Ravindra Jadeja over Ashwin. While Jadeja is undoubtedly a talented all-rounder, Ashwin’s bowling prowess is unparalleled. Yet, he has often found himself sitting on the bench while Jadeja plays. This decision is often attributed to Jadeja’s superior batting ability, despite Ashwin’s significant contributions with the bat as well. Even lesser bowlers are preferred over Ashwin like Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, etc.
The obsession with pace bowlers seems to blind the team management to the wizardry that Ashwin brings to the game. While fast bowlers might grab attention with their pace and aggression, it should not come at the expense of ignoring the artistry and intellect that a skilled spinner like Ashwin brings to the field. Winning is more important to the country than the team management’s foolish team selections, which is detrimental to the country’s winning prospects. Ashwin being the biggest match winner should be the first name to be named when picking the squad in test cricket.

The Price of Arrogance and Jealousy

The sidelining of Ashwin in Test cricket has raised questions about the influence of certain senior players and the team’s coaching staff. The perception of a North-South divide in Indian cricket has fueled speculation about the reasons behind Ashwin’s continued exclusion. The team’s performance in several matches may have suffered due to the refusal to include Ashwin in the playing 11.

Conclusion

Ravichandran Ashwin’s cricketing journey is a tale of brilliance overshadowed by the North-South divide in Indian cricket. Despite being one of the most intelligent and skillful cricketers in the team, he has been denied leadership positions and frequently left out of crucial matches. The need of the hour is to recognize and appreciate Ashwin’s exceptional talents and acknowledge his rightful place as a leader and match-winner for India. It is high time that merit, not regional biases, takes precedence in Indian cricket.

Dehradun | Himalayas

Tag: Ravichandran Ashwin