The conversation has always been team-centric – Paras Mhambrey

India will be taking the yard against Bangladesh today afternoon in the former’s 4th World Cup 2023 clash, and with the team having ticked off almost every box, there doesn’t seem to be a need to make changes to the XI. There is just one position that the Men in Blue may shuffle around and that is the toss-up between Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur. Given the fact that both are all-rounders, for the fans, the most obvious differentiating factor between the two have been the surfaces. Shardul featured in the last two games considering that the ball didn’t significantly assist turn.

With the caravan turning up in the MCA Stadium in Pune, where there has been ample evidence of turn earlier, there are speculations of the fact that Ravichandran Ashwin may finally come into the play again. The Indian bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey opened up on picking between Ashwin and Thakur.

Talking in a press conference ahead of the India-Bangladesh clash, Mhambrey said, “It's a really tough one. When you have a world-class bowler (like Ashwin) in your 15, and you are unable to give him a game. It's a tough call and you have to take such calls.”

He further added, “I think the conversation has always been team-centric. All the decisions that we have taken, not only before this game but over the last few years are based on the team. We go with the side that's best for the surface, and the best combination.”

Mhambrey concluded by talking about Ashwin’s reaction, stating, “And in that sense, he has been a great lad, he understands that. He is a great team guy. I have never seen him grumpy, never seen him complaining anytime for any of the last few years, he has been with us. Having someone like that really helps. And I think credit goes to him. Even after so many years, he is there, he wants to do well for the team, he turns up every practice session, goes through the rigours, and he keeps bowling. He is a great team man. I must compliment that.”