Former middle-order batsman VVS Laxman stated that India took a wrong decision by not playing Ashwin in the first Test match against England at Trent Bridge today which marks the resumption of the second cycle of the World Test Championship.
The Hyderabadi-based batsman said that Ashwin is a proven match performer in the longest format of the game and his experience of playing County recently in England would have helped India to a great extent.
India went with all the seamers in their lot which consisted of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. All-rounder picks came in form of Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja. However, Laxman added that he would have gone with Ashwin as his number eight.
“Ravi Ashwin is a very skillful bowler and he has shown that in overseas conditions too. He was vital in defeating Australia in Australia. They have gone with Shardul Thakur who would provide some depth in the batting too but I would have gone with someone at no.8 who can give match-winning performance and for me, that is Ravi Ashwin. I would have gone with a balanced side that India had in the WTC Final,” said Laxman as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Kl Rahul is back in white after a long time and he will be opening with Rohit Sharma also the likes of Shardul Thakur and Mohammad Shiraj has been added in the squad to bring more flexibility in the side.
Taking about the match England won the toss and elected to bat first and have managed to scoed 61 runs at the loss of 2 wickets including one wicket taken by Mohammad Shiraj and one by Jasprit Bumrah. The reason of including Shardul in the side may be pitching in England which support the pacers more rather than spinner and he is someone who can bowl fast and can bat too as he did in Australia when it was needed the most for Men in Blue.
