Great Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has opined on the fact that current Indian captain Shubman Gill does not give many chances to the spinners to take wickets.
Whenever it comes to spinners in India, Ravichandran Ashwin is often chosen as one of the greatest players of the team. He has criticized the current Indian captain Shubman Gill, who took over the Indian captaincy from the England tour.
However, the England tour had conditions favorable to pace; Therefore, there was no need to overuse the spinners. But when it came to West Indies’ home Tests, Shubman Gill failed to impress as a true Test leader.
Ravichandran Ashwin exposed a major flaw of Shubman Gill
Previewing the first Test between India and South Africa, Ravichandran Ashwin was one of the modern greats of the game for India. He highlighted Shubman Gill’s captaincy and criticized his approach of not giving the spinners enough spells to take wickets in the previous series against the West Indies.
Ravi Ashwin said, “It is fine to have Akshar there. If there is a rank turner and you want to play a seamer light, he can come. Remember his batting is very underrated in Tests. But having an extra spinner (in the 11) will allow you to rotate the bowlers left and right.”
“Even in the last series, Shubman Gill’s rotation of bowlers was not ideal. He was not giving long spells to the spinners. You think the bowlers will rotate in short spells and take wickets, but Test matches don’t work like that. I believe five bowlers will give you enough balance,” he said in ‘Aash Ki Baat’.
Akshar Patel will get a chance only when Ravindra Jadeja is not there.
Ahead of the first Test against South Africa, Ashwin reflected on the fact that India have included Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and finally Kuldeep Yadav in the Indian squad for the Test tour. He has said that the circumstances will affect the selection of these players.
“It will all depend on the conditions. The ball may not turn much. So you have to decide how many spinners you want. The conundrum is that Jadeja is locked in, and Kuldeep will have to play. Washington will also play. Axar’s opportunity will come only when Jadeja is not there; that much is clear. If you play too many spinners, rotation will be an issue,” he said.
Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel will play in the same Test XI
There will be another sharp change in the playing XI in the South Africa Test as Rishabh Pant will make a much-awaited return to the red ball format after being ruled out of the 2-match home series against West Indies. Dhruv Jurel was included in the Indian team in place of Pant.
Rishabh is back in the team and will be given his regular number. 5, and after this Dhruv Jurel is likely to come at number. 6. Jurrell cannot be ignored considering his form, as he has scored three centuries in his last six first-class innings.
The series will start on November 14, and most likely, Nitish Kumar Reddy will not get a place in the eleven due to the conditions at the Eden Gardens and Guwahati Stadium. At present, India is at third place and South Africa is at fourth place in the WTC points table.
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