Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has backed 24-year-old Washington Sundar to replace Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian Test team after the legendary off-spinner decides to call time on his career. According to Karthik, Tamil Nadu-based Sundar, who made his Test debut for India against Australia during the Brisbane Test in January 2021, is the front-runner to replace Ashwin.
“India are definitely looking for a next-gen off-spinner, as in the last India ‘A’ series against the England Lions, they tried three off-spinners in three matches: Pulkit Narang, Washington Sundar, and Saransh Jain,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“They are trying out, and Washington Sundar is the front-runner behind Ravichandran Ashwin right now. He’s done well in whatever limited opportunities he’s got, and I feel he will get his due first before going to anybody else,” Karthik added.
Sundar, who played in all three ODIs of the recently concluded three-match series against Sri Lanka, has scored 265 runs in addition to taking up six wickets in four red-ball matches played so far. His last Test appearance for India was against England in Ahmedabad during the fourth Test played from March 4 to 6 in 2021.
Ashwin’s record in Tests
Ashwin, who made his Test debut for India against the West Indies in Delhi on November 6, 2011, has played in a total of 100 matches so far and has 516 wickets to his name. He is only behind Anil Kumble (619) in the list of bowlers with the most wickets in Test cricket for India.
Ashwin played in all five Tests for India against England earlier this year and finished as the leading wicket-taker. He dismissed a total of 26 batters in 10 innings.
The 37-year-old will be a key player for the Rohit Sharma-led side during the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh in September. The first Test between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to take place at Ashwin’s home ground, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, on September 19. The second red-ball match will take place at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium.
After the Bangladesh series, India will face New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home in October–November before flying to Australia to take part in a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Comments
0 comment