The Australian team is on tour to India for the four-test match series against the host. The opening encounter of the test series will be played on 9th February in Nagpur. The Indian team will clash for their pride to become the World No. 1 in test cricket; however, this series will also decide their fate for the finals of the World Test Championship 2021-23. On the other hand, the visitor sitting on the no. 1 spot in test cricket will try their best to conquer the Border Gavaskar Trophy in India after 19 years.
Spin bowlers will play a big role in the upcoming series against Australia. And former Indian coach Ravi Shastri believed that India’s premier bowler Ravi Ashwin would be the most crucial bowler for his team. And if he gets one more wicket in the first test match, he will become the fastest Indian bowler to get 450 wickets in test cricket.
“One thing you don’t want for him is to over-plan. He is good enough doing what he is sticking to that. He is a really crucial player here. His form will decide the series. Because Ashwin is a package not just with the ball, he will also get some important runs. If he is on fire on both departments, that might well decide the outcome of the series. He is world-class in most conditions. But in Indian conditions, he can be lethal. If the ball is spinning and biting the dust, he has enough up the sleeves to trouble the batters. But you don’t want him to over-think and try too many things,” the former India cricketer and coach said in an interaction with Star Sports.
Further, Shahstri added that the Indian team would go with Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja because they will play a big role in the matches. And also, Kuldeep can take advantage made by the Australian pacer after the first day of the test match.
“Keep it there and let the pitch do the rest because it does much in India. Regarding the other spinner, I would like to see Kuldeep playing. You have got Ravindra Jadeja; Axar, and he is pretty similar. Also, if you lose the toss and want the ball to spin, then. If anyone can spin the ball on day 1, it will be Kuldeep. He can come into play if the track does not offer much. Also, roughs will be created with the Australian pacer’s bowling. He can take advantage,” Shastri further explained.
Former Indian cricketers and coaches are suggesting the Indian skipper and coach pick Kuldeep over Axar because if Jadeja is in the playing XI, then they have the same type of variation. So they must pick Kuldeep, R. Jadeja and Ashwin as three spinners for the first test match.
