R Ashwin slammed the CSK’s team management after two straight IPL 2026 defeats, questioning unused youngsters, dropped overseas players and baffling selection calls.
R Ashwin did not hold back after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost two games on the trot in IPL 2026. The former India spinner took to his YouTube channel and questioned several team selection calls CSK made against Punjab Kings.
CSK dropped Jamie Overton and Matthew Short for the Friday clash despite Overton performing well in the opener. The team went into the game with just 2 overseas players. Spin-bowling all-rounder Prashant Veer played but never got a single over to bowl.
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Ashwin then pointed to the IPL 2026 mini-auction as another missed opportunity. CSK entered with the second-highest purse but skipped proven names like David Miller and Jason Holder. Instead, they signed uncapped duo Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer for a combined 14.20 crore.
“CSK played Prashant Veer, and did not give him even one over. Remember, during the mini-auction, when there were options like David Miler, Jason Holder, Lungi Ngidi, Cooper Connolly. There were so many such options that you needed, even then you got two young players. I give a thumbs up for that, but they should be given a chance, right?” R Ashwin said.
“How will we know their talent without seeing them? It is surprising, and a little bit of a concern. Jamie Overton who played well in the last match was benched, then Matt Short was also dropped, there were only two overseas players. All of this does not happen in the CSK that I know,” he added.
Their next game is against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on Sunday, April 5.
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