'Washy should be our spinner in Adelaide' - Cheteshwar Pujara happy to see R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja dropped

Veteran Team India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes the Men in Blue should retain the same bowling attack for the second Test match against Australia. Cheteshwar Pujara said that Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin should remain on the bench, with Washington Sundar as the lone spinner.

Ashwin and Jadeja were left out of the playing XI for the first Test in Perth, where Team India secured a 295-run win. Sundar was included in the squad following his impressive performance in the home series against New Zealand. He scored 33 runs and picked up two wickets across two innings.

This Bowling Attack Has Given Us Success - Cheteshwar Pujara

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Cheteshwar Pujara said that India should retain the same bowling line-up for the second Test. He praised Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and debutant Harshit. Pujara stated that Harshit showed discipline with the ball despite playing his first Test in Australia.

"There is no question about it. This bowling attack has given us success. [Jasprit] Bumrah looked really good. [Mohammed] Siraj was very good. And then it was supported by Harshit. He bowled really well, you have to accept that. He was playing his first game [for India]; still he ended up pitching the ball up," Pujara told ESPNcricinfo.

"In Australia, it's very easy to get carried away and sometimes when you look at the pace of the pitch, it offers a bit more extra bounce... But he was still looking to hit the right spot, good length, try and hit the top of off, and he has that ability. So I think we should carry on with the same bowling attack. And Nitish also, he had a bit of a bowl," he added.

No Ashwin and Jaddu for the pink-ball Test, says Pujara 🙅 pic.twitter.com/cXNti0axYJ

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 2, 2024

Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy Made Test Debuts in Perth

Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy made their Test debuts during the series opener. Reddy played a crucial 41 runs in the first innings when India was bowled out for 150 runs. He also scored an unbeaten 38 runs off 27 balls, including three fours and two sixes, as India posted a massive total of 487/6.

Harshit Rana picked up three wickets for 48 runs in the first innings. Rana took the last wicket in Australia's second innings of the match. Washington Sundar, who played ahead of Ashwin and Jadeja, had a limited impact with the ball in the first innings but bagged two wickets for 48 runs in the second.

Washington Sundar Didn't Look Really Good... - Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara backed Washington Sundar's inclusion in the Adelaide Test. He stated that Sundar struggled earlier in the match but took crucial wickets after adapting to the conditions. Pujara highlighted that Sundar's batting could be vital in the pink-ball Test in case of any collapses.

"He [Washington] didn't look really good when he started his bowling, but eventually he got a couple of wickets, he varied his pace, so Washy should be our spinner because he can bat well," Pujara stated.

"The reason he was chosen in this squad is because he can bat. It will be important in the second Test match that, in case we lose a few wickets early, if the lower-middle order needs to contribute, Washington can do that role."

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