Former India cricketer wants Ravichandran Ashwin to play over Shardul Thakur in 2nd Test

By DAYANAND MOHITE | published: January 02, 2024 01:55 PM 2019-02-12T14:15:30+5:30

city : national

Ind vs SA: Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has backed spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to play instead of fast-bowler all-rounder Shardul Thakur in the second Test against South Africa at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

Former India cricketer K Srikkanth wants Ravichandran Ashwin to play in the second Test match against South Africa in Cape Town instead of fast bowler all-rounder Shardul Thakur.

The Rohit Sharma-led side had suffered one of their biggest defeats in the first Test match and now they have come under the scanner ahead of the second Test match. South Africa hammered India by innings and 32 runs in Centurion and thus their hopes of winning a Test series in the Rainbow Nation were dashed.

During an interaction on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth came in support of Ashwin over Shardul Thakur and said that the veteran spinner would complement Ravindra Jadeja in the second Test. Ashwin was also India’s most economical bowler in the first Test match as he conceded just 41 runs in the 19 overs that he bowled and also took one wicket.

“I will still play Ashwin. I believe Ashwin is better than Shardul Thakur. I will play Ashwin in place of Shardul. Even if he doesn’t pick up five-wicket hauls, he will pick up a couple. Probably, he will combine well with Jadeja and bowl tight lines. These two can work together and pick up 4-5 wickets, you never know. That should be enough, he would have done his job,” Srikkanth was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

He also said that spinners will make the Proteas batters a run for their money in Cape Town and Shardul won’t find any place in the playing XI of the second Test. Shahrdul conceded 101 runs in the 19 overs that he bowled at an economy rate of 5.32.

Spinners will make their batters struggle: Srikkanth

“If at all you are going to make their batters struggle, you do have an opportunity with your spinners. You can beat them in flight, you can try something like that. I will drop Shardul Thakur. Prasidh Krishna, if you drop him now, it’s unfair. He has played one Test only. It’s unfair to drop anyone after their debut. Shardul Thakur does not fit the bill,” he further said.

The Rohit Sharma-led side will aim to level the two-match series in Cape Town. The Men in Blue have played eight Test series in the Rainbow Nation, where they have lost seven and drawn just one.

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