Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes India should field four spinners in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to start from August 15. The legendary spinner reckons that the conditions are likely to favour spin, making it the ideal combination.
Why should India go with four spinners?
Ashwin wants Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain and Kuldeep Yadav to be part of India’s playing XI. He feels the variety in their bowling styles would make it difficult for Sri Lanka’s batters to settle.
Kuldeep Yadav and Saransh Jain would bring the ball back into the right-handers, while Jadeja and Suthar would turn it away. Ashwin also believes Jadeja is good enough to play as a specialist batter who can also contribute with the ball, while Jain has shown in domestic cricket that he can stay at the crease and add valuable runs.
“Jadeja will definitely play,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “Manav Suthar took seven wickets in the last game—he’ll play. And Kuldeep Yadav should also play. That makes three spinners. I think they should go with Saransh Jain at No. 7, which leaves—No. 5 Rishabh Pant, No. 4 Shubman Gill, No. 3 Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharshan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul. That leaves 2 fast-bowler spots,” he added.
India have picked only four fast bowlers for the Sri Lanka tour, but Ashwin feels just two should feature in the playing XI. He shortlisted Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for those places and suggested that Jasprit Bumrah should be rested.
ALSO READ: WTC Updated Points Table After West Indies 90-Run Win Against Pakistan In 1st Test: Check Details
Ashwin said Bumrah should be preserved for more demanding assignments instead of being used in spin-friendly conditions.
Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal?
The former spinner also spoke about India’s number three batting spot. Sai Sudharsan is expected to bat there after scoring a half-century against Afghanistan, but he is still waiting for final fitness clearance. If Sudharsan is unavailable, Devdutt Padikkal is likely to replace him.
Ashwin admitted that missing Sudharsan would be a major setback because of his recent form and experience in Sri Lankan conditions.
“First, I think India’s biggest loss here could be Sai Sudharshan’s fitness. Because he scored two centuries recently in the recent India ‘A’ series, one of them was at Galle, which has unique conditions. The wind, how the ball turns, the angles—it takes time to learn all that. But he’s made a 100 there —if he stays fit, it could be an advantage for India. His confidence will be high. And Sri Lanka always depends on spin—Sai Sudharshan is a good player of spin. So he could be useful. I hope he’s fit, and it shouldn’t be a setback,” he said.
Ashwin also backed Padikkal and praised his domestic record but said his first choice would still be Sudharsan if he is fit.
“Devdutt Padikkal getting a chance in his place is not a bad thing. He has been a brilliant performer in domestic cricket. But I’d prefer Sudharsan to take his form to Test cricket,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin's playing XI for 1st Test
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Devdutt Padikkal/Sai Sudharshan, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain.