Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly criticised Chennai Super Kings following their 10-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in an Indian Premier League match, expressing frustration over what he described as poor team selection. The loss, which came while chasing a target of 195 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, marked CSK’s fourth defeat in six games this season.

Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment, stating that the team’s performance had left him deeply disappointed. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he remarked that his emotional connection with the franchise had taken a hit due to the way they played. He emphasized that despite concerns about CSK’s bowling, it has been their primary strength, keeping them competitive in the tournament.

The former spinner particularly questioned the decision to leave out West Indies all-rounder Akeal Hosein from the playing XI. He argued that Hosein could have played a key role against Hyderabad’s left-handed batting duo, especially Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, given his past success against them in high-pressure matches.

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Ashwin pointed out that Head has been struggling for form and suggested that Hosein’s inclusion could have exploited that weakness. He highlighted that Hosein had previously dismissed Abhishek Sharma in a crucial T20 World Cup fixture, indicating that the spinner could have been a tactical advantage in the match. The omission, according to Ashwin, reflected a lack of strategic clarity in team selection.

He also scrutinised the inclusion of Matthew Short, who was brought in partly for his off-spin capabilities. While acknowledging Short’s initial economical spell, Ashwin noted that the bowler was eventually targeted by Abhishek Sharma, conceding heavily in a later over. He suggested that the selection appeared overly focused on matching up against left-handers without fully considering effectiveness.

Further criticising Short’s batting contribution, Ashwin said that the player’s 34 runs off 30 balls lacked the impact needed in a high-scoring chase. He argued that a more aggressive innings could have changed the outcome of the match, reiterating that CSK’s combination and tactical decisions ultimately cost them a crucial victory in the tournament.

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