Ravichandran Ashwin, regarded as one of India’s greatest Test bowlers, has called for a team to be selected by coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill that is capable of taking 20 wickets.
In the second innings of the opening Test, only five wickets were claimed by India, with Jasprit Bumrah finishing without success. The pace spearhead is likely to be given rest for the second Test so that his workload can be managed. In this context, it was observed by Ashwin that the upcoming Test would be regarded as a different sort of challenge for Gambhir and Gill. He stated that the match should be viewed as a test of Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill’s commitment to ensuring that 20 wickets are taken” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel.
It is something I want to witness—whether they truly show that commitment. If they are genuinely determined, Kuldeep Yadav should be included.”Ashwin insisted that Kuldeep Yadav ought to be picked for the second Test.Kuldeep Yadav is required to be included. If the pitch is not covered with much grass, he should certainly be given a place in the eleven. Anyone else may be left out, but Kuldeep must be chosen. His inclusion would also ensure that the England lower order is kept in check. With him in the lineup, two or three Tests in the series could potentially be secured, as problems would be created for the opposition.
If Shardul Thakur is replaced by Kuldeep, Prasidh Krishna should be retained, since it was shown by him in the second innings of the first Test that, when bowling well, the task can be fulfilled, Ashwin remarked.He also suggested that the left-arm angle of Arshdeep Singh could be considered, but acknowledged Arshdeep’s limited Test experience.”I would also give thought to Arshdeep Singh for his left-arm angle, but since he has yet to prove himself in Test cricket, we shouldn’t overlook Akash Deep’s potential. Either Akash Deep or Arshdeep would be acceptable if Jasprit Bumrah is not available.”Ashwin, who retired last year, also remarked that greater responsibility needs to be shown by India’s batters.”I realise runs are being scored.
Yes, there were five centurions, but where are the big hundreds? It has to be accepted that there will be little help from the lower order. Our fast bowlers are not going to contribute with the bat,” he noted.Regarding the bowling attack, Ashwin pointed out that Mohammed Shami’s absence was strongly felt.”As a batting unit, “It is important that control is maintained over the game, especially during the first and third innings. As for the bowlers, I believe Shami’s presence was badly missed,” he added.”Bumrah performed exceptionally, and Shami would have done the same, but it wasn’t to be. I don’t want to criticise Prasidh Krishna too much, because he is still at the start of his Test career. He has just finished two months of IPL, where you rarely bowl good length deliveries—you generally stick to short balls, yorkers, or back-of-length deliveries,” he said.
