Ravichandran Ashwin praises Pavan Rathnayake's batting

Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly questioned Sri Lanka's Test selection following a standout performance by batter Pavan Rathnayake. Ashwin expressed astonishment at Rathnayake's ability to play spin and handle pace, specifically noting his technique during Sri Lanka’s historic ODI victory against England in Rawalpindi.

During that match, Rathnayake scored 130 runs off 106 deliveries, including 15 fours and three sixes, to help Sri Lanka successfully chase a target of 430. The performance earned him Player of the Match honors and contributed to the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history. Ashwin remarked that Sri Lanka appears to be producing significant new batting talent, comparing the emergence of players like Rathnayake and Sonal Dinusha to the challenges faced by other major cricketing nations in developing depth.