Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has thrown his full support behind seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, insisting that the veteran “must play” in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, set to begin in Perth on Friday.
As India gears up to face Australia in a much-anticipated series, team selection has become a major challenge for head coach Gautam Gambhir, especially after India’s recent 3-0 home series defeat against New Zealand. Ashwin, who has often found himself overlooked in key matches, including the 2023 World Test Championship Final, is once again at the center of the selection debate.
Challenges on Perth’s Pace-Friendly Pitch
The traditional Perth wicket is known for favoring fast bowlers, often leaving spinners with little to work with. India is likely to play just one spinner in the playing XI, given the pace-friendly conditions. With Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar delivering standout performances against New Zealand, Ashwin’s inclusion might not be a straightforward decision.
Ganguly’s Clear Verdict
For Ganguly, however, there’s no question about who should take the spot. Speaking to Boria Majumdar on Revsportz, the former BCCI president emphasized Ashwin’s ability to deliver, particularly against Australia’s left-handed batters.
“There is no debate. Ashwin must play. Your best spinner must play. In Test cricket, you go with specialists. Against Australia’s left-handers, Ashwin is certain to make an impact,” Ganguly stated.
Ashwin’s Recent Form Raises Questions
Ashwin’s recent performance in the New Zealand series raised eyebrows, with the off-spinner managing just nine wickets in three matches. He failed to pick up a single wicket in two critical innings, while both Jadeja and Sundar claimed 16 wickets each, topping the series’ bowling charts.
Despite this dip in form, Ganguly firmly believes in Ashwin’s expertise, asserting that he remains India’s most reliable spinner in Tests. “Yes, Jadeja and Sundar are excellent players who can bat well, but Ashwin is still India’s best spinner. For the first Test, you need specialists, and that’s why Ashwin is my pick,” he added.
Squads for the Perth Test
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.
Australia Squad:
Pat Cummins (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
As the series begins, all eyes will be on the team selection and how India adapts to the challenges of playing in Australia. For Ashwin, this could be a chance to reaffirm his stature as India’s premier spinner in the longest format.
