Ravichandran Ashwin Joins Hardik Pandya in Highlighting the Poor State of Cricket in the West Indies.
Following the recent conclusion of the third ODI between India and West Indies, where Hardik Pandya criticized the hosts’ cricket board for their inadequate facilities, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed similar concerns. Despite not being part of the ODI or T20I series against the Windies, Ashwin shed light on the state of affairs in the Caribbean, revealing certain deficiencies in cricket infrastructure. He believes that with such shortcomings, the task of nurturing quality cricketers in the West Indies will become increasingly challenging in the future.
“In my opinion, to improve cricket in a country, the primary focus should be on upgrading the infrastructure. Even the U10, U12, and U14 kids in the country should have access to decent nets and grounds. They need the opportunity to play matches,” Ashwin stated in a video on his YouTube channel.
According to the off-spinner, cricket is a talent-driven and hardworking sport. If young talents receive the necessary support and facilities, they are likely to thrive and improve their skills. Therefore, developing adequate infrastructure is crucial for nurturing cricketing talent.
Speaking specifically about the situation in the West Indies, Ashwin didn’t hesitate to highlight the inadequate cricketing infrastructure in the region. He shared examples from the recently-concluded Test series, in which he was involved, to illustrate his point.
“Considering the West Indies, it’s important to note that they are a collective representation of different countries and islands such as Antigua and Barbados. So, can we say that the infrastructure has been adequately developed across all these islands? Frankly, no.”
Ashwin further elaborated on his experience during the Test series, particularly at the Barbados Test Center. He expressed his dismay at the poor condition of the nets, which lacked proper grass, and the old and worn-out facilities.
“My heart goes out to them. I’m not mentioning this to criticize or blame them. Rather, I genuinely feel for their situation,” added the marquee spinner.
The revelations made by both Hardik Pandya and Ravichandran Ashwin shine a light on the pressing need for improving cricketing infrastructure in the West Indies. Without proper facilities and opportunities for young talents, the region may face challenges in nurturing and producing quality cricketers who can compete on the international stage in the years to come.
