Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has put his weight behind Sai Sudharsan to get another opportunity in the second Test match against the West Indies. The left-hander was dismissed after scoring only seven runs in the first innings of the opening Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Sudharsan has scored 147 runs in four Test matches at an average of 21 and thus he has failed to live up to the expectations. The southpaw had scored 140 runs in three Test matches against England.

Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “So, I really hope he capitalizes on that innings in Delhi. He is a young, very motivated, high-quality player. I really hope he gets runs in this game. Because otherwise, with the competition that is there in the Indian Test side, I think he could find it a little uphill after this. For that reason, I think this Test match is very, very important. I really hope he plays this Test match. I think they should give him another go.”

Ashwin wants India to play with the same winning team in the second Test at Delhi.

“The team that won, should keep the same team. I think there is a lot of discussion on Sai Sudarsan. But I really hope the kid gets another go. He has a lot of ability. He has batted well in tough conditions in England too. So, I hope they give him a go. Because Devdutt Padikkal is breathing very strongly under his neck,” he added.

Ashwin added Sudharsan has shown the right temperament and he has a golden chance to prove his mettle.

He concluded, “I think Sai Sudharsan is temperamentally very sound. But I have no idea how he is treating him inside. What sort of bubble he is in and all that, I am not very sure. But for Sai Sudarshan, to cement his place, you won’t get a better series than this.”

The second Test match between India and the West Indies will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi from Friday.