Ravichandran Ashwin's injury forced Washington Sundar's inclusion in Test squad? Aakash Chopra questions

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Aakash Chopra has raised a serious question, stating whether the young all-rounder Washington Sundar's inclusion in the Test squad for the New Zealand series hints at the veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin nursing an injury.

Chopra was also confused with the inclusion of Sundar in the squad as Axar Patel is already present in the team along with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav.

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Washington Sundar To Join India Squad For 2nd & 3rd Tests Against New Zealand

On Sunday, October 20, the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) released an official statement, announcing the addition of Washington Sundar to the Test squad for the remaining two matches against the Kiwis.

In the media release, nothing else was mentioned, and Sundar was just an extra addition to the squad. This means now India have Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep, and Sundar as spinners and Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj as pacers for the rest of the matches.

Notably, Sundar's inclusion has come after his sensational batting performance for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Delhi.

The 25-year-old came out to bat at No.3 and played a remarkable knock of 152 runs off 269 balls. Also, with the ball, he bagged a three-wicket haul in Delhi's first innings.

Is Ashwin not fully fit? - Aakash Chopra

During an interaction on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra expressed his surprise over the inclusion of Sundar in the Test squad.

Chopra questioned whether the addition of Washington Sundar has been made due to Ashwin suffering an injury or carrying a niggle as the veteran spinner bowled very late on the final day of the Bengaluru Test. Aakash Chopra elaborated:

"Washington Sundar's name has come in the team. It was slightly on unexpected lines, although he scored a century just now. He was playing for Tamil Nadu and beat up Delhi. Sai Sudharsan also beat up Delhi. He scored a double hundred and Sundar scored a century.

"He (Sundar) has been given a place in the team. The question that comes to mind is - what is the Indian team thinking? Do they want to play another spinner? There were already plenty of fast bowlers in the travelling reserves. Is Ashwin not fully fit?

"Was it because of that he was given only two overs on the last day? He was bowled when the match was over. It just did not make sense that you don't bowl Ashwin at all. What is the logic behind that? Since you didn't bowl him, is he carrying some niggle and you want Washington Sundar as an almost like-for-like in terms of type of skill?"

Notably, Rohit Sharma was slammed by many experts for not introducing Ashwin early into the attack when New Zealand were chasing a small target of 107 runs on the final day.

Are they thinking that they want to play three spinners, but should play another off-spinner - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra further speculated that Washington Sundar could have been included in the team because the team management might be thinking of playing three finger spinners and benching Kuldeep Yadav to trouble Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway. He elaborated:

"Are they thinking that they want to play three spinners, but should play another off-spinner along with Jaddu and Ashwin, and not play Kuldeep, as the opposition team has Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway? Two of those three have scored runs. I am slightly split in which direction Washington Sundar's selection is pointing."