Former India wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani feels Ravichandran Ashwin has rightly taken Harbhajan Singh’s place in Indian team. © AFP
By CricketCountry Staff
Bengaluru: Sep 5, 2012
Former Indian wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani lauded Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance in the just-concluded Test series against New Zealand, and stated that the off-spinner has rightly taken Harbhajan Singh’s place in Indian team.
He said, “Ashwin has very rightly taken Harbhajan's place, and he has been performing with a great amount of consistency. And along with him the other spinners have also done a great job and we have a great batting lineup.”
The director of the Karnataka State Cricket Association Academy further added, "But there cannot be a comparison between individuals; everybody has his own technique and style of approach, different attitudes and different applications.
“There have been a lot of bowling variations which both have been using. Ashwin has come a long way through hard work; not that Bhajji hasn't worked hard.”
Kirmani justified selector’s decision to replace Harbhajan with Ashwin.
He was quoted by Mail Today as saying, "When there's no consistency in a plan then the selection committee looks at a younger player who has the same kind of potential, who's equally competent as the experienced players.
“So when Bhajji was going through a bad patch last year, obviously, you had to look into the future and look for a replacement.”
Kirmani felt it will be difficult for Harbhajan to make a comeback into the Indian team with Ashwin performing well.
"It'll be tough for Harbhajan to stage a comeback at this stage - unless Ashwin goes through a very rough patch all of a sudden. Ashwin looks more compact and a steadier Test player,” he said.
