Why R Ashwin Replaced Washington Sundar for the Pink-Ball Test
India’s decision to pick Ravichandran Ashwin over Washington Sundar for the pink-ball Test against Australia sparked much interest on Friday. At the toss, skipper Rohit Sharma made a big change to the lineup that had favored Sundar in the first Test in Perth. However, Ashwin’s record in day-night Tests makes a strong case for his selection.
Ashwin’s Stellar Record in Pink-Ball Matches
When it comes to pink-ball cricket, Ashwin stands out as India’s most successful bowler. With an impressive 18 wickets in day-night Tests, he leads all Indian bowlers in this format. In comparison, Axar Patel follows with 14 scalps. Ashwin’s last pink-ball Test was in Adelaide in 2020, where he took five wickets.
Aside from his bowling, Ashwin is a reliable lower-order batter. He adds depth to India’s lineup. His skills made him the best choice for the high-stakes clash in Adelaide. The pitch would help spinners as the game went on.
Rohit’s Tactical Adjustments
At the toss, Rohit Sharma confirmed three changes to the Indian XI: his return, Shubman Gill for KL Rahul, and Ashwin for Sundar. Rohit didn’t elaborate on the Ashwin-Sundar swap. But, the reason was clear. Ashwin has a proven track record with the pink ball.
“We are going to bat first. It’s a good pitch—dry, with enough grass covering to aid the fast bowlers early on. As the game goes on, it’ll get better for batting,” Rohit explained. “Momentum is important, and we want to carry on from where we left.”
Washington Sundar’s Exclusion
Some fans may be surprised by Sundar’s omission. He played in Perth over Ashwin and Jadeja. However, in overseas conditions, Jadeja often dominates as the preferred all-rounder. For pink-ball games, though, Ashwin’s expertise remains unparalleled.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s spot in India’s XI for the pink-ball Test shows a new strategy for day-night matches. His record and skills made him the best choice to replace Washington Sundar. With India choosing to bat first, all eyes are on the impact of that decision on the game’s outcome.
