India legend openly claims stakes for Ravichandran Ashwin's inclusion from Rohit Sharma

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer backed veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's inclusion in the upcoming second Test match against Australia.

Wasim Jaffer said that Ravichandran Ashwin should be the only frontline spinner in the playing XI for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).

India made a bold decision by selecting off-spinner Washington Sundar as the only slow-bowling option in the first Test match against Australia in Perth.

The team management left out Ashwin and Jadeja. Sundar had a limited role in the match, where Team India secured an emphatic 295-run victory.

I Want India to Play Ravichandran Ashwin - Wasim Jaffer

Amid reports that India may field the same bowling attack for the second Test, Wasim Jaffer said that spin plays a crucial role in day-night Tests. Jaffer added that Ravichandran Ashwin has performed well in such conditions before. He also stated that Washington Sundar hadn't done anything wrong.

"I want India to play Ashwin. Spin always plays a part in D/N Test, Ash has done well there before. Washi hasn't done anything wrong but with Rohit & Gill back to bolster the batting, play your best spinner is what I think. And Ashwin is more than handy with the bat too," Jaffer wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

I want India to play Ashwin. Spin always plays a part in D/N Test, Ash has done well there before. Washi hasn't done anything wrong but with Rohit & Gill back to bolster the batting, play your best spinner is what I think. And Ashwin is more than handy with the bat too. #AUSvIND

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 5, 2024

Ravichandran Ashwin is the Leading Wicket-Taker for India in Pink-Ball Tests

Ravichandran Ashwin was left out of the series opener in Perth as team management favored the in-form Washington Sundar. Ashwin has faced challenges as a first-choice spinner in overseas conditions. However, his record makes a strong case for inclusion in the upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide.

The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer has taken 16 wickets with a decent average of 30.44 in three matches at the venue. It's worth mentioning that Ashwin is the leading wicket-taker for Team India in pink-ball Test matches. He has taken 18 wickets with the pink ball, but most of his wickets came on home soil.

Spin Always Plays a Crucial Role in Adelaide - Pitch Curator Damian Hough

Adelaide pitch curator Damian Hough stated that spin will play a significant role during the five days of the upcoming match. He emphasized that a frontline spinner should be needed in the playing XI, adding that there should never be any doubt about it.

"Spin always plays a role in Adelaide. You need to pick a frontline spinner. So, there should never be a question of do we, don’t we? It should always be," Hough said in a select media interaction organized by Cricket Australia (via News 18).

The Adelaide Oval is the home ground for Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has taken 63 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 25.27 there. Lyon's best performance at this venue came during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener, where he claimed 12 wickets against the India cricket team.

Australia hopes to bounce back during the second Test match, which is set to be played at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide from Friday, October 6. The home team made one change to their lineup, while the visitors are likely to make at least two changes with the return of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.

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