India decided to go in with four pacers and just the one spinner in Ravindra Jadeja in the first Test match against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham which ended in a draw as the weather played spoilsport on the final day of the match.
As Jadeja was picked ahead of R Ashwin, there were a lot of talks about a competition between the two spinners for a spot in the team.
But, the former wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta made it clear that the real competition is between R Ashwin and Shardul Thakur for a spot in the playing XI.
“Lot of people have been asking this question and talking about how there is a competition between Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. But personally, I think it is not between Jadeja and Ashwin, it’s more between Shardul and Ashwin,” Deep Dasgupta said on BBC’s Test Match Special podcast.
The cricketer-turned-commentator then talked about the real competitor for the left-arm spinner in the Indian side would be Hanuma Vihari.
“That’s more of a tactical decision that the Indian management needs to make. As far as competition is concerned, I think it’s more between him and Hanuma Vihari, who do you play at no.6,” the 44-year-old added.
Vihari was a part of this Indian team in the Sydney Test match where he along with all-rounder R Ashwin had shown great patience and grit to save the match against Australia.
As far as the Test series against England is concerned, the teams will now travel to London for the second Test match to be held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from August 12.
(With BBC Inputs)
