Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin advocated for a heavy spin approach, backing India to field all four selected spinners in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.
India will play two Tests on the tour of Sri Lanka which are a part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The first Test will be at Galle from August 15-19, while the second will be played at Colombo (SSC) from August 23-27.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin offered complete tactical variation to exploit the spin-friendly conditions in the island nation.
Ashwin views veteran campaigner Ravindra Jadeja as a dependable No. 6 batter who can act as a frontline spin asset. He also noted that Manav Suthar earned his place after picking up seven wickets on his Test debut against Afghanistan last month.
Ashwin backed debutant Saransh Jain for the No. 7 role, highlighting his reputation for putting a high price on his wicket in domestic cricket. He wants the team to play Kuldeep Yadav as a specialist spinner.
“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.
While Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah have been named in India’s squad, their participation will be subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Ashwin explicitly stated that India should rest Bumrah, suggesting the ace pacer should be "wrapped in cotton wool" rather than over-exerted on turning tracks. He preferred using two pacers from the rest of the touring quicks, which includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar.
“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," Ashwin stated.
“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," he remarked.
India’s squad for Tests against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill [C], KL Rahul [VC], Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant [WK], Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain
Note: Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will be subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI COE.
