Veteran spinner R. Ashwin is set to be given the starting role as the sole spinner for the first Test match in Perth. According to reports by Indian Express, the decision is due to the number of left-handed batters in the Australian top order. The pitch in Perth is set to be a haven for the fast bowlers.
The history of the ground suggests that the wicket tends to break towards the final few days. Australia have Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, along with the dangerous Travis Head in the top order. Alex Carey is also a dangerous wicketkeeper batter who is in good form.
So far Ashwin has played 10 Test matches in Australia and picked 39 wickets. His best of 4/55 came in Adelaide where he has picked 16 wickets in total. Ashwin is yet to play in Perth and this is the last time the 38-year-old is touring Australia. With the bat, Ashwin has scored 384 runs in Australia with an average of 24 and a best of 62.
Mitchell Marsh gearing up for India’s spin challenge
Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is excited to play in front of his home crowd as the Border Gavaskar series kicks off on Friday. The 33-year-old is bracing himself up for the huge challenge that India’s ace spin duo R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bring to the table.
During his chat with Fox Cricket, Marsh said, “They’re world-class bowlers. I’m looking forward to the challenge. But how much spin will play in Australia, we’ll wait and see. They’ve got an outstanding fast-bowling attack, but there’s no doubt they’re world-class spinners, and I’ve got a lot of respect for them.”
On many tours, Jadeja has been preferred over Ashwin for a starting spot in the XI. Team India is also set to field debutant all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the playing XI. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are set to open the innings for India with Devdutt Padikkal at number 3.
Rohit Sharma is missing the game and will play the Adelaide Test, while Shubman Gill is out of the game due to injury. Virat Kohli will bat at number 4 spot with Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, and Nitish Kumar in the middle order. With Ashwin as the sole spinner, the fast bowling will be led by skipper Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The third seamer slot will be a toss-up between Harshit Rana and Akash Deep.