Sub-continent conditions demand a leg-spinner, feels former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram.While, Wasim Akram defended the ‘surprise’ choice of Piyush Chawla in India’s 15-man World Cup squad, he was stunned over Rohit Sharma being snubbed.“The pure cricketing reason for Chawla’s selection is that he is a leg-spinner and in the sub-continental conditions, he has the mixture in his range including a googly, which could come handy on turning tracks,” he explained.
Chawla, who, plays the role of a utility cricketer in his IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab, last appeared in an ODI for India way back in July 2008 against Pakistan. Therefore, his selection ahead of Pragyan Ojha raised some eyebrows on Monday. However, Akram says it’s more than just bowling that gave Chawla the edge over Ojha.
“Ojha has been in good form of late in Test cricket. However, apart from being a spinner with a lot of variety, Chawla is a handy bat, and a young and energetic fielder. These small, yet important choice calls are taken after discussions with the captain, the coach and the selectors. I am sure they have made the decision on Chawla keeping everyone in the loop,” said the 44-year-old.Overall, Akram was satisfied with the outlook of the MS Dhoni-led team, but one decision that surprised him was the exclusion of Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma.
Rohit, who, was the find of India’s triumphant 2007 ICC World T20 campaign, has failed to do full justice to his skills as a frontline batsman since then. An average of a mere 28.34 in 58 ODIs with just five fifties and two hundreds in his career, rightly suggests that he has been failed in displaying consistency. Akram too hinted on the same lines.“The most shocking thing for me is that Rohit has not been picked. He is such a talented batsman. But again, if you do not score runs at the top level on a regular basis, you are bound to get the axe,” he concluded.
Chawla, who, plays the role of a utility cricketer in his IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab, last appeared in an ODI for India way back in July 2008 against Pakistan. Therefore, his selection ahead of Pragyan Ojha raised some eyebrows on Monday. However, Akram says it’s more than just bowling that gave Chawla the edge over Ojha.
“Ojha has been in good form of late in Test cricket. However, apart from being a spinner with a lot of variety, Chawla is a handy bat, and a young and energetic fielder. These small, yet important choice calls are taken after discussions with the captain, the coach and the selectors. I am sure they have made the decision on Chawla keeping everyone in the loop,” said the 44-year-old.Overall, Akram was satisfied with the outlook of the MS Dhoni-led team, but one decision that surprised him was the exclusion of Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma.
Rohit, who, was the find of India’s triumphant 2007 ICC World T20 campaign, has failed to do full justice to his skills as a frontline batsman since then. An average of a mere 28.34 in 58 ODIs with just five fifties and two hundreds in his career, rightly suggests that he has been failed in displaying consistency. Akram too hinted on the same lines.“The most shocking thing for me is that Rohit has not been picked. He is such a talented batsman. But again, if you do not score runs at the top level on a regular basis, you are bound to get the axe,” he concluded.
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