‘Back Your Spinner’: Ashwin Urges Gambhir to Pick Kuldeep, Bat Sundar A No.3

Sports News: Former Indian cricketer and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has given a bold suggestion to India head coach Gautam Gambhir. He has suggested that if the team management is very confident about Washington Sundar, then they should send him to bat at no. 3 instead of Karun Nair. After a heartbreaking loss by 22 runs at Lord's, India would hope to make a comeback in the Manchester Test. The visitors are also facing a problem of injuries in the camp. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the series, while there are serious concerns over the availability of Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh.

Ashwin on his YouTube channel

"A lot of people have said that Kuldeep has to play. If you have a lot of faith in Washington Sundar's batting, then send him to number 3 and let Kuldeep play. You have an option. Do you want to bring in Sai Sudharsan or Washington Sundar instead of Karun Nair? I will think like this. Nitish Kumar is not ready. If Nitish is not ready, can I bring in Shardul Thakur? Or do I want to play a specialist batter?

So, I would go the other way of saying we will play Washi. Jadeja will also be there. And instead of Shardul Thakur, play Sai Sudarshan or Dhruv Jarrell. Play a specialist batter. Go to a bowler and back your spinner."

Sundar as a batter

Washington Sundar is an off-spinner all-rounder who made his Test debut against Australia in the Gabba Test in 2021. There is no doubt about the batting talent Sundar possesses. He also bats in the top order for his domestic side, Tamil Nadu. The left-handed batter has an average of 38 in the 11 matches he has played. In the ongoing Anderson Tendulkar Trophy, the southpaw has scored 77 runs while batting lower down the order.

Manchester awaits

After a tough defeat at Lord's, India would look to bounce back in the fourth test at Manchester, a venue where they have not won a single game in the Test format. India would now look to breach Old Trafford and make a roaring comeback in the five-match Anderson Tendulkar Trophy