Overview:
Ashwin noted that the Indian National Cricket Team may not have the batting firepower till No.9 if they play Kuldeep. However, he feels the wrist-spinner can help India in the game and can be effective in the second innings.
Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked India’s playing XI for the fourth Test against England. He made an interesting suggestion for Washington Sundar. The match starts on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Ashwin feels India should use all-rounder Sundar as the No.3 batter. It could also allow them to include Kuldeep Yadav in the team.
“If you trust Washington Sundar’s batting, send him to No.3 spot in the batting department and also play Kuldeep Yadav. You replace Karun Nair with Sai Sudharsan and change the batting order of Washington. Play Sundar and Jadeja is also there. You can bring in Sai or Dhruv Jurel. Go with one less specialist bowler and back a spinner. Give the place of the fourth fast bowler to Kuldeep,” he said.
Ashwin noted that the Indian National Cricket Team may not have the batting firepower till No.9 if they play Kuldeep. However, he feels the wrist-spinner can help India in the game and can be effective in the second innings.
“If Sai Sudharsan wasn’t in the plans for No.3 or as an opener, there was no need to play him in that position in the series opener. If you wanted Karun, he should have been your No.3 batter from the start. Karun has looked in good touch before getting out. He wasn’t under pressure. He will still want to score big and cement his place. I would like to see him in all the five Tests,” he added.
India have been dealt a big blow as Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the series. Ashwin mentioned that India will go for a like-for-like replacement and bring in Shardul Thakur. He played in the first Test but was not impressive with the bat and ball.
Anshul Kamboj has been added to the squad after injuries to fast bowlers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh.
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