N ANANTHANARAYANAN
India declared the Sri Lanka One-day series was the start of a long tune-up for the 2019 World Cup, and their second string spinners shared seven wickets to rout the home team in the first match in Dambulla.
While India continued their total domination in Sri Lanka, skipper Virat Kohli spoke about plans to try out players in different roles and all eyes were on former skipper MS Dhoni.
However, one question is what role the team management saw for its main spinner, R Ashwin, in the build-up to the premier tournament.
The 2019 World Cup will be played in England and Wales, where seamers would fancy their chances more. Though the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy editions saw good batting surfaces, it still left many wondering where India’s premier bowler fitted in.
The national selectors had not picked Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who had together claimed 30 wickets in the 3-0 Test series sweep ahead of the ODI series --four others shared 25 scalps. Ashwin packed his bags to play in the English County, and get used to conditions as India are due to play a Test series there next year.
India bowling coach Bharat Arun, however, said Ashwin was very much part of the long-term
Yes, Ashwin is also part of the team we are looking at. We are also looking at giving opportunities to other bowlers.
The Indian cricket team has so far done the athletic equivalent of running against the clock on this Sri Lanka tour. With the hosts in disarray, the visitors have set and accomplished their own targets.
Virat Kohli has led India in just 31 ODIs -- 14 of them since taking over from MS Dhoni in January. These are early days, but a good opportunity to try out a few things. The Indian skipper has urged players