Former India National Cricket Team batsman Murali Vijay has urged Gautam Gambhir to play Ravichandran Ashwin in the second Test match of the five-match series against the Australia National Cricket Team.
Murali Vijay wants the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management to drop Washington Sundar and replace him with the veteran Ravichandran Ashwin in the Adelaide Test.
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Washington Sundar picked over Ravichandran Ashwin in the Perth Test by Gautam Gambhir
In what was a bold move, the Indian team management selected Washington Sundar over both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin for the Test series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth.
This selection was made keeping in mind the recent form of Sundar and the veteran all-rounders had to warm the bench. Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja used to play SENA Tests for India as the sole spinner due to his exceptional batting ability.
However, the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff has given preference to Washington Sundar. The youngster has so far played 7 Test matches for India National Cricket Team and has scored 387 runs at an average of 48.37. Also, he has bagged 24 wickets at an average of 23.91 and best bowling figures of 7/59.
In Australia, his experience is very limited in Tests as he just featured in two matches, scoring 117 runs and picking up 6 wickets.
We need a skillful bowler to bowl under pressure – Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay, meanwhile, isn’t impressed with Washington Sundar and he has demanded the inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
He said that there is a need for a ‘skillful bowler’ in the Indian playing XI who can bowl under pressure. Vijay added that Sundar, at this stage in his career, isn’t equipped with the ability to deal with the pressure against the Australian team that will be coming in full force after the Perth Test defeat.
“If at all I have to have a change, I would think about making Ravichandran Ashwin play. Because we need a skillful bowler to bowl under pressure. And Washington is starting his career,” Murali Vijay said on Star Sports.
“So he may not be able to handle that kind of pressure against Australians. Because if we allow them to come back into the Test match, this is going to be the Test match which Australians are looking at. So I would add some experience to my bowling and Ashwin can bat as well.”
“There are a lot of left-handers in the Australian set-up. So we all know what Ashwin can do to left-handers. So my choice would be Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of Washington Sundar,” he added.
I don’t think there are any changes needed in our bowling lineup – Cheteshwar Pujara
Murali Vijay’s former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara, however, was not on the same page with him. The out-of-favor batter said that the team management shouldn’t make any changes to the bowling unit for the Adelaide Test.
Cheteshwar Pujara felt that Washington Sundar did a good enough job in the first match and should be retained in the playing XI.
“I don’t think there should be any changes in the bowling lineup. Our bowling lineup did really well. We bowled really well as a bowling unit,” Cheteshwar Pujara said on Star Sports.
“Washington also got a couple of wickets. We are doing well as a bowling unit. And I don’t think there are any changes needed in our bowling lineup,” Pujara added.