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Ashwin Calls for More Pace in India's Oval Test Lineup
1 Aug
Summary
- Ashwin disagrees with India's playing XI, wants an extra seamer
- Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep's inexperience a concern for Ashwin
- Ashwin would have played Shardul Thakur for batting depth
In the lead-up to the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced his disagreement with the team's playing XI selection. Ashwin feels that India could have included an additional seamer in the lineup, given the favorable conditions for pace bowling on the opening day.
India went with three fast bowlers in Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj. While the pacers found some seam movement and assistance from the pitch, Ashwin believes Prasidh Krishna's underwhelming performance in the series so far, and Akash Deep's comeback after an injury, could have been addressed by including an experienced seamer like Shardul Thakur.
Ashwin stated that he would have been "very comfortable" with Karun Nair's inclusion in the playing XI if India's premier fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Siraj were all playing. However, with the current pace attack, Ashwin feels the decision to include Nair is still "debatable."
As India ended the first day at 204/6, Ashwin emphasized the need for the visitors to stretch their first-innings total as much as possible, given the conditions. He believes one more wicket could lead to a collapse, but the unbeaten partnership between Karun Nair and Washington Sundar has provided a glimmer of hope for India.
