Team India and skipper Virat Kohli managed to raise a few eyebrows after going with four pacers and dropping R Ashwin for the first Test against England at Nottingham.
Ashwin’s inclusion for the second Test that will be played at Lord’s starting from 12 August remains to be a talking point. The discussions have only become stronger after it was reported that Shardul Thakur might miss the second Test due to an injury.
Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has said that team India has to pick Ashwin as a replacement for Thakur.
“I hope they’ll make the right call by taking Ashwin in the XI, I would bring Ashwin in place of Shardul Thakur,” VVS Laxman told ESPNCricinfo.
The former batsman added that Ashwin is the leading wicket-taker among active spinners and knows how to adapt to different conditions.
“I’ve mentioned this before that he’s a more than capable bowler to perform in any condition. He’s a skilled bowler. He’s someone who has over 400 wickets. Anyone who has that many wickets know how to adapt to different conditions. Ashwin will add variety and strength to the bowling line-up,” he added.
Ashwin has improved drastically since 2018 in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. Since 2018, the off-spinner has picked up 43 wickets in 12 Tests in SENA countries at an impressive average of 28.23. Before that, Ashwin averaged 56.58.
Laxman also spoke about Ashwin’s ability with the bat which gives depth to the Indian batting line-up.
“He can also contribute with the bat, we know that he’s got 5 Test hundreds. Ashwin will give Virat Kohli options irrespective of what type of conditions they play in,” he said.
Laxman suggested one other change in the playing XI, saying if pacer Ishant Sharma was match fit, he must immediately be included in the playing XI replacing Mohammad Siraj.
“If Ishant Sharma is 100% fit then straightaway he comes in place of Siraj. But if Ishant is not 100% then I would back Siraj to play after seeing how he bowled in Nottingham. You don’t want to risk Ishant as he is such an important member of the team,” Laxman added.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
