Ravichandran Ashwin opens up on India’s playing combination ahead of opening Test against South Africa

Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on India’s playing combination ahead of the first Test match against South Africa. India has four spinners in the squad – Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

Ashwin said India should play three spinners in the final XI and Axar Patel will need to warm the benches. The former off-spinner said captain Shubman Gill didn’t rotate his bowlers with guile in the Test series against the West Indies and urged the Indian skipper to give longer spells to the spinners.

Ashwin said Patel can come into the playing XI if a rank turner is dished out.

“It is okay for Axar to be there. If there is a rank turner and you want to play a seamer light, he can come in. Remember that his batting in Tests is very underrated. But having that one extra spinner (in 11) will make you rotate the bowlers left and right. In the last series as well, Shubman’s rotation of bowlers was not ideal. He was not giving spinners long spells. You think bowlers will take wickets by rotating in short spells but Test matches don’t work like that. I believe five bowlers will give you ample balance,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.

Ashwin said Dhruv Jurel should be part of the playing XI as he has been in fine form.  Jurel had impressed in the two Test matches against the West Indies in the absence of injured Pant as he had scored 175 runs in three innings at an average of 87.50. However, with Pant returning to India’s Test squad, it would be interesting to note India’s playing combination.

Jurel has been in fine form and recently returned with scores of 132 and 127 in the second unofficial Test against South Africa A while playing for India A. 

“It will all depend on the conditions. The ball may not turn a lot. So you have to decide how many spinners you want. The conundrum is Jadeja is locked and Kuldeep has to play. Washington will play too. Axar’s chance will come only when Jadeja is not there, that is very clear. If you play too many spinners then rotation will be an issue. You have the position for six batters. If Jadeja plays at six and Washi at eight, along with Kuldeep and two pacers, one slot is free in between. Dhruv Jurel should come there. Sai Sudharsan at three is no debate. It is whether you want Nitish Reddy or not,” he added.

The opening Test match between India and South Africa will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, from November 14 onwards.