Former spinner R Ashwin dissected the Team India captain Shubman Gill’s decision to use Anshul Kamboj on Day 2 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester as well. He was picked to support Jasprit Bumrah instead of the senior candidate Mohammed Siraj, after India were bowled out for 358 in the first innings as well.

“Shubman Gill gave the new ball to Anshul Kamboj, and that is highly debatable. I can see why Shubman gave him the new ball, there are two reasons for that, Anshul Kamboj is a good exponent, his wrist position is good, he can swing the ball both ways, and Siraj has the ability to bowl well with the old ball. So, I can see merit in that (decision),” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

READ HERE: “The reality is I was tired” – Jasprit Bumrah on not celebrating five-fer

“We have said this before as well, there was no one bowling in partnership with Jassi. To expect Anshul Kamboj to do that against Bazball in his first Test? We have to cut him some slack. I think his first spell was a little disappointing, but he came back very nicely. I wouldn’t be surprised, if the conditions help tomorrow morning, he could open up a few more wickets,” he further added.

However, R Ashwin was left surprised by the fact that Shubman Gill did not turn to Washington Sundar for a single over on Day 2 as well.

“What I found the most surprising today was that Washington Sunar was not given an over. That was hugely surprising. Last innings at Lord’s, he picked up four wickets and ample control. Washington always bowls with control, and in today’s game, where the run rate was over five runs an over, he was not given the ball only. I admit that Jadeja was brought on, he is the senior bowler and all that, but Sundar could have been given 3-4 overs from the other end,” Ashwin said.

“There was a left-hander in Ben Duckett, he could have bowled around the wicket to Zak Crawley, keep it tight, stump-to-stump. When Liam Dawson can come and try and hold one end up, the Indian spinners also have skill. That would have given Siraj some rest as well. I feel that Siraj was overbowled, and he also overtried. If India do not pick Joe Root and a couple other wickets in the opening hour on Day 3, it is probably looking really gloomy for them. If India can manage to hold England to 400-425, they are in the game. But, if England bat big and score 500, Root scores a hundred, then it would be a real uphill task,” R Ashwin concluded.