'Poetic Injustice..'- R Ashwin's Brutal Take On India's Dube Out, Rana In Decision In 4th T20I
R Ashwin [Source: AP]
The Indian cricket team won the fourth T20I against England and clinched 3-1 series victory. While they won the match by 15 runs, this victory had controversy written all over it. Harshit Rana came in the playing XI as a 'like for like' concussion substitute for Shivam Dube in the match. His inclusion proved too be extremely important for the Indian side as he bagged a three wicket haul.
Speaking on this incident, former India cricketer, Ravichandran Ashwin asked whether the Indian cricket team had forgotten that it was an international game and instead played an IPL match. He also highlighted how a similar situation had unfolded in Canberra when Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja.
"The game is done. India capture yet another series at home. T20I has been a real juggernaut of a win. But my question is, whether we forgot it was an international game and played an IPL match? Because today all the discussion was on how Shivam Dube's concussion substitute? I can understand it has happened in the past too. In Canberra, Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin On India's Decision To Play Rana
The spin-wizard called this incident as 'poetic injustice', highlighting the difference in Harshit Rana substituting Shivam Dube. He also talked about how including Ramandeep Singh, who was also sitting out, would have been the correct like for like replacement for Shivam Dube.
"You can call poetic justice, or in fact poetic injustice. I don't understand it. At least earlier, Chahal replaced Ravindra Jadeja. Here, Harshit Rana replaced Shivam Dube.
There is no role of the Indian or England team. If there is no one in the squad, then you can say that Harshit Rana can bat a bit and Shivam Dube can bowl a bit, that's why we brought him in. Like-for-like replacement Ramandeep Singh was sitting outside. I don't understand," said Ashwin.
He further argued that this was a cricketing miscalculation, either by the umpires or the match referee, and calls for those in charge to review such decisions. The concern is that such decisions could be unfair and, while it benefited n in this instance, it could hurt them in the future.
"This is a case of pure cricketing miscalculation, either on the part of the umpires or the part of the match referee or whoever be it. Ramandeep Singh was there, a batter who can vall a bit, like-for-like for Shivam Dube. But not him. Harshit Rana was chosen as the concussion substitute. I think people in charge should look into this. Today it happened against England and hurt, some day India might be hurt too."
Meanwhile, India will play their fifth and final T20I in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on February 2nd.