Australia vs India 2018: I Prefer Ravichandran Ashwin Over Rishabh Pant at No 6 - Anil Kumble

Despite Rishabh Pant scoring brilliant centuries in the recent past for team India in the Test format, the ex-head coach, Anil Kumble feels Ravichandran Ashwin should bat higher than him. In an exclusive interview with Gaurav Kalra for CNN-News 18, Anil Kumble made his voice on India’s lineup for the upcoming Adelaide Test.

Meanwhile, with Hardik Pandya unavailable in the ranks for team India, they have got some selection headaches for the upcoming Tests series. Probably, the only chance for them is to go either with a spin all-rounder or Rohit Sharma.

I believe Ravichandran Ashwin can deliver – Anil Kumble

The former skipper of India believes Ashwin has got the ingredients in him to perform for them with his willow. Notably, in overseas, Kumble believes Ashwin has got a nice technique to deal with the Australian attack.

Further, he added Rishabh Pant, who can wield his willow should bat at number seven. Furthermore, Kumble feels Pant can go with his natural game by asking the tail-enders to hang on at the other end.

”I thought when Ashwin moved up the batting order to number six, India should’ve persisted with that. I certainly believe that Ashwin is someone who can contribute at that position, especially when India travel abroad. Even in the last series, Ashwin batted really well, he’s done well overseas,” Anil Kumble quoted.

”He has the temperament and also the technique. He just needs to be in that position for a longer period of time. I believe he’s someone who can bat the second new ball and also play that role of number six, then probably Rishabh can bat at seven then bat really well with the tail, which then gives him the freedom to go and play his natural game rather than put pressure on someone like Rishabh Pant at number six,” he added.

All in all, it would be interesting to see how team India management would work on the lineup of India. Most Probably, they would go with an extra-spinner rather than opting for an extra batsman. However, you never know.