India have pulled the trigger at the selection table for their biggest and final Test match of 2024, dropping batter Shubman Gill in favour of playing a second spinner in Washington Sundar.
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And somewhat controversially, the move to play Sundar comes only a week after modern-day great Ravichandran Ashwin retired from all forms of international cricket.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1 heading into the iconic Boxing Day clash, the experience and leadership of Ashwin would be invaluable, as highlighted by Australian great Mark Waugh before the coin toss.
“It seems ridiculous that Ashwin’s gone’ he would’ve been a big force in these two Test matches,” Waugh told Fox Cricket.
In his retirement press conference, the off-spinner — with 537 Test wickets — noted that he had “a bit of punch left” in him, but speculation that he wouldn’t be selected for the rest of the tour looked to have ended his career ever so prematurely.
Beyond Ashwin’s self-imposed unavailability, the team balance that has come from dropping the out-of-form Gill for another bowling all-rounder leaves the India XI looking extra light in the batting department.
Fox Cricket’s Harsha Bhogle noted on X that he felt “uncomfortable” with the side, and suggested that the batting of normal number eight Nitish Kumar Reddy was essentially being preferred over Gill.
Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri explained the thinking behind the selection on Fox Cricket after the sole change to the nation’s side was confirmed.
“They have given themselves more bowling options because … the weather could play a role in that,” Shastri said post-toss.
“It’s going to be very hot over the next few days. I think it is a proactive, positive move from India to back themselves, to back the top six, to score the runs and then give themselves enough opportunities to take 20 wickets.”
“It is a long Test series, so they probably want to offer a bit of support to Jasprit Bumrah,” former England bowler Isa Guha added.
As the tourists failed to make a breakthrough inside the first eight overs — amid a Sam Konstas ramping tutorial — Shastri added to his slight surprise at the selection choice.
“It’s a brave decision; I would have thought that they would’ve kept Gill … it’s a tough one,” he revealed.
“Reddy is a good man to have, he’s played well in the series.
“If they were looking for another spinner, he may have just thought otherwise (to retiring).”
Mark Waugh added: “Can’t help but think that Ashwin would’ve been pretty handy these last two Test matches.”
Australia were 0/69 after the first 13 overs on Day 1.
