Washington Sundar, who was asked to stay back in Australia after the conclusion of white ball limited-overs series, now stands a huge chance to wear the Test whites for the fourth Test, alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, if the latter is declared fit to play.
The Indian team will not take any chances with pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is “50% fit” ahead of the fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba and instead go for Washington Sundar who was bowling in nets after limited-overs series. He will be a like-for-like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, without experience in the longest format.
Washington Sundar May Debut And Play Alongside Ravichandran Ashwin If Fit
However, in the case of Ravichandran Ashwin – who has been struggling with back spasms – a final call will be taken by Wednesday afternoon, 13th January. If Ravichandran Ashwin stays for the Test, the Indian team will walk into the game with six batsmen and five bowlers, including two spin bowling-allrounders.
Mayank Agarwal, who was expected to play this Test in the absence of Hanuma Vihari, who has been ruled out, also suffered a knock in the nets on Monday and is being observed. If Mayank Agarwal also is ruled out, the young Prithvi Shaw will find himself back in the scheme of things – but will play in the middle-order.
Considering Washington Sundar’s batting abilities, he and Ravichandran Ashwin can be expected to play the role of all-rounders, thus boosting India’s batting order as against a depleted bowling attack that will now rest on the shoulders of Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur who have played less than 10 Tests combined.
Washington Sundar is being considered by the team management, because of his ability to bowl and also bat a bit, will mean there will be no place for keeper Wriddhiman Saha to get in. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur is expected to be slotted in ahead of T Natarajan, given his relatively better red-ball experience.
Ravichandran Ashwin Or Kuldeep Yadav May Assist Washington Sundar
The only potential scenario the team management will have to consider carefully is the possibility of Ravichandran Ashwin not being declared fit in time. Ravi Shastri and Ajinkya Rahane can also consider a spin replacement in Kuldeep Yadav or let go of a five-pronged bowling attack and instead walk in with an extra batsman is a major call that will have to be taken.
Washington Sundar has played 26 T20Is and 1 ODI besides 12 first-class games.
The playing eleven, for now, is expected to be on the following lines: Shubhman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Mayank Agarwal / Prithvi Shaw, R Ashwin/ Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur/ T Natarajan.
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