The dynamics of team selection vary significantly between playing in Australia and England, but Ravichandran Ashwin's recent performances seem to have heavily influenced how India’s current management, led by Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, approaches strategy. Former selector Devang Gandhi believes that form has taken precedence over past records in making these decisions.
Gandhi explained that the team prefers players riding on confidence rather than relying solely on historical achievements. Washington Sundar's strong performance against New Zealand, coupled with his reliability as a lower middle-order batter, makes his inclusion logical in the current setup. He pointed out that India’s bowling template, set during the Perth Test, is unlikely to change for the upcoming Pink Ball Test.
"I do feel that current form has been taken into consideration. The Indian team management wanted to go in with a team that had confidence and not exactly looking at the past records," said Gandhi.
"Washy bowled well against New Zealand and is a reliable lower middle-order batter. So it does make sense."
Harbhajan Singh also weighed in, calling Sundar's selection over seasoned players like Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja a significant move. He suggested that Sundar’s display in the New Zealand series indicates he is ready to take on the mantle from Ashwin in the near future.
Interestingly, Ashwin's standout performance in SENA countries came in the 2021 Day/Night Test in Adelaide, where he claimed 4/55. However, his modest returns in the recent New Zealand series, played on spin-friendly pitches, have worked against him. With only nine wickets in that series and no five-wicket hauls in SENA countries, his position in the current lineup has become tenuous.
Gandhi elaborated on India’s approach in Australian conditions, highlighting the need for a spinner who can provide control rather than aggressive wicket-taking. Sundar, with his ability to hold a consistent line and contribute with the bat, fits this role perfectly. Gandhi also pointed out Sundar’s solid performances with the bat during the Brisbane series and the Perth match, cementing his spot as a preferred choice.
The comparison between Washington and Ashwin extends beyond their bowling styles. At 38, Ashwin’s ability to extract bounce and zip has naturally diminished due to wear and tear on his shoulders, as Harbhajan Singh observed. However, Harbhajan dismissed the notion that age alone was the determining factor, stating that the years of playing simply take a physical toll.
Jadeja, on the other hand, has historically been favoured for his all-round abilities. With a batting average close to 30 and several key innings in SENA countries, his contributions with the bat often gave him the edge. However, with only one five-wicket haul in these regions, both he and Ashwin have faced criticism for their underwhelming records over the years.
As things stand, Sundar appears to be the frontrunner in India’s spin department. Unless an injury sidelines him, Jadeja might see some action on spin-friendly tracks like Sydney, but Ashwin’s chances seem slimmer. India’s evolving spin strategy signals a shift toward younger players like Sundar, whose skills align with the team’s current game plan.