Dinesh Karthik Urges BCCI To Name Ravichandran Ashwin As India Captain In Asian Games 2023
New Delhi: Amid rumours that Shikhar Dhawan is likely to lead a second string Indian team in the upcoming Asian Games 2023, India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik carked the BCCI to name Ravichandran Ashwin as captain in quadrennial extravaganza if the later isn’t in their scheme if things for the upcoming ODI World Cup at home.
Ashwin, who warned the bench, during the World Test Championship final against Australia resulting, is yet to play an ODI in this year and hasn’t been named in India’s ODI squad for the three-match ODI series. Most likely, the Indian team management aren’t thinking Ashwin in their scheme of things for the ODI World Cup.
Karthik felt Ashwin has earned the right to become a captain after playing for India for almost a decade. “Ashwin is arguably one of the greatest players to have ever played in terms of his quality of bowling and the number of wickets he has picked,” Karthik said at an event.
“I genuinely feel that if India are sending a B team, with the main team preparing for the World Cup, they should make him the captain if he is not part of the ODI setup. I genuinely feel he deserves it and has earned the right of being the captain of the team. I wish they name Ashwin as captain for at least Asian Games.
“That will be a feather in his hat,” he added. Although Ashwin never really got to lead India, he captained Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League in 2018 and 2019. Under Ashwin, PBKS won 16 out of 28 matches. Recently, Ashwin opened up on being denied Test captaincy.
“It (overthinking tag) was created to work against me, right? And as I said, there have been statements that people have made all along when leadership question has come my way, there have been people who are been out there telling, my name is not the first name on the sheet when India tour abroad,” Ashwin told Indian Express.
“Whether that name is first on the sheet or not is something I can’t control. If I earned it, it’s got to be there and that’s my belief. As I said, I have no complaints, I have no time to sit back and throw punches or regret or anything. I have no regrets about anyone,” he added.