Former all-rounder turned analyst Ravichandran Ashwin has an interesting choice for India’s playing XI before the fourth Test against England as well. The match will begin on Wednesday, July 23, at Old Trafford, Manchester. As India have prioritized batting depth, R Ashwin feels Washington Sundar should play at number three as well.

“If you have a lot of faith on Washington Sundar’s batting send him at No.3 and play Kuldeep Yadav. You bring Sai Sudharsan for Karun Nair or send Sundar. I would say play Washington, Jadeja is also there, then play Sai or Dhruv Jurel, go with one less specialist bowler and back your spinner. The fourth fast bowler role, play that with Kuldeep,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’.

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“If you don’t look at Sai Sudharsan as your No.3 or an opener, then there was no need to play him at that position in the first Test. If you wanted Karun, he should have played at No.3 right away. You played him at three and removed him and the next two Tests Karun has batted there. Karun has looked elegant and solid till he got out. It did not look like he was hurried or under pressure. He will want to make a big score and seal his spot. I would dearly like to see him get all five Tests,” he again said.

However, Team India also faced a huge blow with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy being ruled out for the rest of the series with injury. Ashwin also feels India will go for a like-for-like replacement and bring in all-rounder Shardul Thakur to maintain the batting depth as well.

“I am worried that we might extend our batting again. Think the like-for-like replacement of Nitish Kumar Reddy is Shardul, play Shardul. I have a suspicion that Shardul will play in place of Nitish,” R Ashwin concluded.