Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian opener, has called for the inclusion of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in Team India’s playing XI for the forthcoming second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jaffer thinks Ashwin might have a significant impact on the day-night match as India gets ready to play Australia at the Adelaide Oval.
Ashwin watched from the sidelines as Washington Sundar got the green signal over him in the first Test in Perth. As the game goes on, though, the Adelaide Test conditions might help the spinners, and the hosts might select their most effective spinner. Spin always matters in Adelaide, as Damian Hough, pitch curator at the Adelaide Oval, has already underlined.
“In Adelaide, spin is always important. Selecting a frontline spinner is necessary. Therefore, the question of should we or don’t we should never arise. In an exclusive media appearance hosted by Cricket Australia, Hough stated, “It should always be” (via News 18).
With the bat, Ashwin is more than proficient: Wasim Jaffer
With 16 wickets at an average of 30.44 in three games, Ashwin has an outstanding record at Adelaide. More importantly, with 18 wickets under his belt, he leads Team India in pink-ball wicket-taking.
“India should play Ashwin, in my opinion. Ash has performed well in the D/N Test, where spin is often a factor. Washi (Washington Sundar) hasn’t done anything wrong, but I believe you should use your finest spinner now that Rohit (Sharma) and Shubman (Gill) are back to support the batting. Jaffer expressed his opinion via X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “And Ashwin is more than handy with the bat too.”
I want India to play Ashwin. Spin always plays a part in D/N Test, Ash has done well there before. Washi hasn’t done anything wrong but with Rohit & Gill back to bolster the batting, play your best spinner is what I think. And Ashwin is more than handy with the bat too. #AUSvIND
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 5, 2024
With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill back in the batting lineup, India will have more batting depth. The team’s batting strength isn’t compromised when they use their most specialised spinner. The Adelaide pitch makes spinners a threat, according to Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, who has taken 63 wickets at an average of 25.27 in 13 Pink-ball matches.
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