The opening game of the 5-match Test series between India and England ended in a draw at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham owing to rain playing a spoilsport on the fifth day. India captain, Virat Kohli made the bold decision at the toss of deciding to go with four pacers and only one spinner in his playing XI. It worked well in the first Test as the fast bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah who took nine wickets in the match, had a good outing.
After the match, Virat Kohli said that he is going to follow the same template and stick with the same combination. Ravindra Jadeja was the sole spinner, and he made a significant contribution with the bat in hand by scoring a composed 56. While the teams usually don’t change the formula that worked well for them during the last Test match, former Indian cricketer, VVS Laxman wants India to go included Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI ahead of Shardul Thakur.
ALSO READ: Inzamam-ul-Haq opens up on New Zealand-Pakistan series
India used Thakur as the fourth seam-bowler, and he performed well by picking four wickets across both innings. But he was dismissed on a duck in the first innings. Laxman feels Ashwin can be used in place of Thakur as he is capable in the batting department too.
During a recent chat on ESPNCricinfo, VVS Laxman said, “I would definitely draft in R Ashwin into the playing XI. It will add depth to the Indian bowling and also versatility and different options to the captain. Irrespective of the weather forecast or the conditions, R Ashwin is a more than capable bowler. He is skillful enough to perform, not only perform but to put in a match-winning performance and put pressure on the English batters.”
ALSO READ: We Have Balanced-squad And Can Win The Test Series, Believes Ravindra Jadeja
Meanwhile, England have brought Moeen Ali in the mix, and in all likelihood, he will be replacing Dan Lawrence. The home team’s batting was a big failure in the opening Test in Nottingham and, baring skipper Joe Root, all the batters struggled to get going. The second Test match is starting tomorrow at Lord’s Cricket Stadium.
