Sri Lankan bowling great Muttiah Muralitharan says the quality and depth in Indian cricket’s white ball eco-system is so good that the country has created an unimaginable talent pool in the T20 format.

The owner of 800 Test wickets made his point with an observation that a bowler of the calibre of Ravichandran Ashwin struggles to make it to India’s playing XI in whiteball matches.

Ashwin, who is closing in on 450 Test wickets, is back in the white ball mix after being in the wilderness in shorter formats for more than three years.

“There are too many quality options in the Indian cricket system. There is very stiff competition among the top Indian spinners in white ball cricket,” Murali told PTI in an interview organised by the Legends League Cricket.

“In red ball cricket, there isn’t much competition as Ashwin is on top. He is peerless. The moment we turn to T20, because of IPL, we get to see too many talented options as there are so many matches being played. That certainly speaks about the depth of Indian cricket.

“So when you get an option to compare his exploits with others and the opportunities to play T20Is get shared.”

hared.” One of the better exponents of the doosra (the wrong ’un), Murali never compromised on his core strength which was a big off-break that he could turn at right angles taking the track out of the equation.

So are off-spinners using too many carrom balls in white ball cricket?

“You can’t bowl just carrom balls. You have to mix it up. Even during our times, we used floaters with conventional off breaks. You can’t bowl the same ball again and again as batters tend to read you well. To stay on top, you need to have enough variations,” Muralitharan said.

Masood hit on head

Pakistan’s Shan Masood. Getty Images

Melbourne: Pakistan top-order batter Shan Masood was on Friday rushed to hospital for scans after being hit on the head during their net session at the MCG.

In a freak incident, the 33-year-old suffered the blow from a stray shot off the bat of Mohammad Nawaz, who hit a lofted shot while playing against a spinner.

Masood was wearing pads but not the helmet as he was waiting for his turn to bat, ahead of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup opener against India on Sunday. He fell to the ground and looked in pain.

“He was hit awkwardly in a sensitive area. I don’t know his current status, but he has passed the tests taken by our physio. Now, he’s now gone to the hospital for a scan. We’re praying for his quick recovery,” said Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan.

PTI