Due to a family issue, Team India’s offspinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, was forced to withdraw from the third Test match against England that is now taking place in Rajkot. Following the end of the second day of play on Friday, February 16, the 37-year-old claimed his 500th Test wicket. The news was made public late in the evening by the Indian team management.
There are many players that would be hoping for the spot of the premium off-spinner. There is no news as of now whether the veteran would return for the final two Tests. If not, Indian team management would have a big job on their hands to replace the experienced off-spinner. Let’s take a look at some options that can replace Ravichandran Ashwin in the next Test match.
Must Read: IPL2024: Top 3 Indian Cricket players whose career got revived due to impact player rule in IPL
3 players who can replace Ravichandran Ashwin in playing XI for Team India against England
3) Saurabh Kumar
Saurabh Kumar (Source: Twitter)
One of the promising players that got another Indian team call-up recently has been Saurabh Kumar. The off-spinner was drafted into the squad for the second Test after Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out due to injury. The left-arm spinner, who has experience in the Indian local circuit, was included in the Indian team for the 2022 Test series versus Sri Lanka. He was not given the opportunity to play a game for the team, though.
Having played in 68 First-Class matches, Saurabh has a best of 8/64 and has claimed 290 wickets. Furthermore, Saurabh has amassed 12 fifty-scores and two centuries, making him a more than capable hitter. Consistent for India A, Saurabh made an impressive showing lately in Potchefstroom against South Africa A, claiming four wickets.
2) Axar Patel
Axar Patel (Source: Twitter)
Going with Axar Patel seems to be an easy choice on paper given his international experience in this format. However, playing three left-arm spinners would not be an ideal bowling combination for any team. So even though he has experience on his side, it might not make sense for the side to have the same quality of bowlers.
But there might be an outside chance of Axar Patel starting in place of Kuldeep Yadav. It can only happen if Yadav has a below-par game during the third Test. Another reason how Axar can play is if the team management decides to strengthen their lower order batting. In both the cases, the man that has to miss out is going to be Kuldeep Yadav.
1) Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar (Source: Twitter)
Despite having only played four Test matches so far, Sundar is a valuable addition to the team and might be the perfect Ashwin alternative. As the hosts want to take control of the five-match series, he may be a X-factor selection.
Sundar has proved to be a tall, bounce-prone off-spinner who is difficult to sweep. Being swift through the air, he can also impart a lot of overspin to his deliveries. It might potentially undermine the opposition’s strengths when he bowls to them. Additionally, Sundar’s batting will offer him an advantage against players like Axar Patel and Saurabh.
