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“Srikar Bharat no short of Alex Carey”: R Ashwin questions Indian media’s underconfidence while judging Indian players during IPL| IPL 2022 mega auctions

Gurpreet Singh
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"Srikar Bharat no short of Alex Carey": R Ashwin questions Indian media's underconfidence while selecting Indian players | IPL 2022 mega auctions

R Ashwin questions Indian media’s stereotype while going for Indian players during an interaction ahead of IPL 2022 mega auctions

Team India’s all-rounder and premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, is one of the many few Cricketers worldwide who takes keen interest on discussions around the betterment of international Cricket. He also makes an equal amount of effort in promoting women’s Cricket and is often seen advocating for having an equal weightage to be given to the Sport without a particular gender dictating terms.

He also does not shy away from voicing his opinions based on the abundant knowledge he has regarding the game across various platforms, alongside former cricketers and media professionals.

In one of such discussions around the the upcoming IPL 2022 mega auctions, Ashwin questioned the stereotypes of the Indian media agencies and a few experts of the game, when it comes to selecting Indian players.

R Ashwin questions Indian media’s stereotype

During an interaction with EspnCricinfo analyst Gaurav Sundararaman, Ashwin questioned the media stereotype and their exhibition of underconfidence on the ability of the Indian players while analysing them.

While discussing around the prospect of having the inclusion of an extra overseas player in the IPL, the 35-year-old seemed pretty unimpressed by the suggestions around the topic by the likes of Cricket turned commentator- Aakash Chopra and a few Indian media agencies.

He questioned their stereotype regarding creating a positive hullabaloo around the overseas players, while downplaying the talent and potential of Indian players.

“Many Indian agencies did comment about taking 5 overseas players (in the IPL). Even Aakash Chopra in a portal spoke about it. With T20 Blast happening, only 2 players are allowed; In ‘The Hundred’, 3 are allowed; Australia has increased from 2.

“In fact, this time in DC (Delhi Capitals), we had shortage of players and we played with 8 Indians. India does not have dearth of talents. It is only the matter of perception. Someone like Srikar Bharat is no short of Alex Carey. Srikar has played a match winning knock for RCB this year. We Indians, aren’t confident of our own people and prefer foreign players instead. India’s sample size and talent are huge. I think the stereotype has to change,” exclaimed Ashwin.

Ravichandran Ashwin marked a return to white-ball Cricket for India after a gap of 4 years against Afghanistan in the recently concluded T20 World Cup in UAE. He performed exceptionally well with the ball during the World Cup, and was selected in the squad which whitewashed New Zealand at Home in the 3-match T20I series soon after.

About the author

Gurpreet Singh

Gurpreet Singh

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Gurpreet Singh is a Cricket writer at The Sportsrush. His platonic relationship with sports had always been there since childhood, but Cricket managed to strike a special, intimate nerve of his heart. Although his initial dream of playing the sport at the highest level couldn't come to fruition, Gurpreet did represent the state of Jharkhand at the under-14 level. However, almost like taking a pledge to never let the undying passion for Cricket fade away even a tad, he made sure to continue the love relationship by assigning the field of journalism as an indirect Cupid. He thus, first finished his bachelor's in journalism and then pursued the PG Diploma course in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Soon after and since 2019, he has been working at The Sportsrush. Apart from sports, he takes keen interest in politics, and in understanding women and gender-related issues.

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