MS Dhoni defends decision not to play R Ashwin – Cricket News Update
Despite the team losing the opening T20I against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Ashwin-c2228, from the starting lineup.
Ashwin was a surprise absentee from the Men in Blue’s playing XI for the series’ opener in Chennai, with the team banking on the part-time bowling of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RA-Jadeja-c2238 to do the job.
However, that proved to be the turning point in the game as Pakistan made Dhoni pay for the error in judgment, recording a thrilling five-wicket victory. After reducing the opponents to a manageable 133, courtesy some exceptional bowling, the Men in Green suffered some early setbacks which saw them reeling at 12 for 3.
All three wickets were taken by debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737 but his ploy ultimately backfired as all of them went for plenty of runs.
They conceded a combined 75 in 7.4 overs, which titled the game’s balance in favour of the tourists. Fittingly, Jadeja was smashed for a straight six by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Malik-c90088 to complete an impressive triumph. Dhoni however, defended his tactics by claiming that Ashwin might not have been much of a threat on a seamer-friendly pitch. It was only the second time that Ashwin has missed a T20 clash for the national side.
"Ashwin has been one of our main bowlers, he had to bowl in the first six overs a lot," Dhoni said. "Once we had three seamers, we wanted to give Jadeja a chance also, and once the field has opened up in the last two games Ashwin has also gone for runs, [though] he has bowled beautifully in the first six overs."
"They had lots of right-hand batsmen, and if we needed an offspinner, we had http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SK-Raina-c2539. If we needed an option of a left-arm spinner in case Yuvi had a bad day, we wouldn't have any option in the XI [if Jadeja was left out]."
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