Premier Indian off-spinner R Ashwin is likely to be available for the selection of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali, which begins on March 4. As per the reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned that the Tamil Nadu cricketer is very close to completing his recovery.
After the conclusion of the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka, Team India will lock horns against visitors in the two-match Test series, which will be played from 4th March to 16th March in Mohali and Bengaluru respectively.
R Ashwin was ruled out of the West Indies and Sri Lanka limited-overs series at home after he suffered an injury after the South Africa tour. Even though the off-spinner was named in the Test squad for Sri Lanka Tests. his selection was said to be subject to fitness.
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In the latest development, it is learned that R Ashwin is putting in hard yards and is recovering quickly and could play the first Test against Sri Lanka.
Coming to the Test squad, R Ashwin is the third spinner in the side along with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Saurabh Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav.
If available, R Ashwin is likely to play along with Ravindra Jadeja as the second spinner in the squad. It remains to be seen who among the Kuldeep Yadav or Jayant Yadav will partner the duo in the first Test against Sri Lanka.
India’s Test squad for SL Test series:
Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Saurabh Kumar.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
