Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Ireland could have the best campaign in the upcoming T20 World Cup among underdog teams. The marquee event commences on Saturday, February 7.
The former India spinner stated that Ireland have a lot of ability, but their biggest challenge in the subcontinent will be their batting. He mentioned Harry Tector and Mark Adair as the main batter and bowler in the side. Meanwhile, Ashwin named 33-year-old pacer Barry McCarthy as the player to keep an eye on.
"Ireland has a lot
of ability. They’ve got the strongest chance in this World Cup to do something big. But in these subcontinental conditions, their biggest challenge will be their batting. Their batting includes Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Camper, George Dockrell who finishes the innings. Harry Tector, the team’s main batter. Harry Tector is a classy player. Tim Tector is also part of the team, taking on the responsibility of scoring runs. Ireland has a lot of ability. Mark Adair bowls and bats as well. Barry McCarthy is a player to watch," he said on 'Ash ki Baat.'
Ashwin expressed his concerns about Ireland's bowling department, opining that it might struggle when it comes up against strong batting sides.
"But what's their problem? Their biggest problem is George Dockrell. He used to be a left-arm spinner once. Now, he hardly bowls and mostly just finishes the innings with the bat, which is obviously good for George Dockrell, but they lack bowling options in subcontinental conditions. I don't think they're a team that will consistently make 200. They're the kind of team that will score around 160 to 170, which is what you can expect at the ICC World Cup. But whether their bowling can really stand up against good batting line-ups is something I'm really doubtful about," he added.
Don’t have what it takes to play modern T20 cricket: Ashwin on Zimbabwean players
Ashwin heaped praise on Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza and young opening batter Brian Bennett. He compared the latter's batting approach to that of the hard-hitting Finn Allen.
"Zimbabwe are the usual suspects. Everyone who knows about Zimbabwe would remember their captain, Sikandar Raza. He was in great form, bowled really well in the SA20, and also played some impactful innings with the bat. They've got another batter the world will hear a lot about, and I hope he sticks around for a long time, that's Brian Bennett. He's got a strong intent, kind of like Finn Allen today. Remember his name, he’s going to make a big name for himself in the future," he said.
Ashwin's major concern about Zimbabwe is the lack of exposure for the players beyond Raza and Blessing Muzarabani in franchise leagues around the world.
"They do have some good cricketers but the exposure they’ve had isn’t as much as Sikandar Raza got, probably Blessing Muzarabani got a bit of exposure too. Apart from them, the rest of the team is very inexperienced. Don’t have what it takes to play modern T20 cricket," he stated.
"If upsets are going to happen, then Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani have to play a huge role, but it’s a team I’m really looking forward to watching in this T20 World Cup. I also hope that a lot of players from their team get chances to play in overseas leagues and that as a team they keep progressing," he added.
Ireland and Zimbabwe are clubbed in the same group. Sri Lanka, Australia, and Oman are the other three teams in Group B. Only two teams will progress from this group to the Super-Eight stage of the competition.
