Delhi Capitals owner slams India for excluding Pant, Ashwin
The owner of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, Parth Jindal has slammed the Indian team management. His criticism comes after Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin, who both represent the franchise, were not picked during the limited-overs matches against New Zealand. While Ashwin was not a part of the squad, Pant wasn’t given a look-in during both the T20I and ODI series despite being a part of the touring party.
Jindal is the director of JSW Sports, who are the majority stakeholders in the Delhi-based franchise. The comments are highly unusual in nature, as franchise owners generally do not comment on selection matters of the national team.
Making his comments on Twitter, Jindal found it strange as to why India continued to exclude a proven wicket-taker like Ashwin from the limited-overs formats. He also believed that the continued exclusion of Rishabh Pant from the playing XI made ‘no sense’.
Here are the comments which he made on Twitter:
Don’t know why @ashwinravi99 is not in this team! There seems to be an aversion to wicket takers! After white washing the kiwis in T20’s the Kiwis showing India that the semi final victory in the World Cup was no fluke. India needs wicket takers and players with X factor
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) February 11, 2020
And why carry @RishabhPant17 only for him to warm the bench? Surely he would have benefited from paying against New Zealand A or domestic cricket? To see a player as talented as him not play the 5th T20 and now the 3rd ODI makes no sense #Xfactor
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) February 11, 2020
Rishabh Pant has been the star performer for Delhi Capitals, being one of their highest-paid players. The franchise also roped in the services of Ashwin during the trade window from Kings XI Punjab. Ashwin last played a limited-overs game for India in July 2017. After the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, he has been cast off as a Test specialist. His numbers during the IPL remain steady though, being one of the most economical performers in the tournament.
The two players will have a massive role to play in the upcoming season of the IPL. In order to clinch their maiden IPL title, Delhi have assembled a star-studded squad during the auctions. With the strength and depth at their disposal, they are one of the early favourites to lift the trophy.
