Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has suggested two changes for India in the upcoming fourth Test against England at Kennington Oval in London. Zaheer wants India to include R Ashwin in the playing XI for the penultimate game of the five-match series. The senior spinner has so far been left to warm the bench in the ongoing series and didn’t get a chance to play in the first three Tests.
With the pitch at the Kennington Oval expected to assist the spinner, Zaheer believes India should bring back Ashwin in the playing XI irrespective of Ravindra Jadeja’s availability. Zaheer believes both Jadeja and Ashwin should play together if the all-rounder is fit as spin will have a huge impact on the game.
“The opportunity is there for the taking and I believe this change (bringing in Ravichandran Ashwin) should be made. You should first see how fit Ravindra Jadeja is… but even if he’s playing, India should go for this change because if you look at the history of The Oval, spin definitely dominates in the second innings,” Zaheer said on Cricbuzz.
“In the WTC final, the way Team India approached the game – going with Jadeja and Ashwin both because they are among the best five bowlers – they should go back to that because spin will have a huge impact at this ground,” he added.
Jadeja has so far played as the lone spinner for India in the first three Tests against England and has not tasted much success, managing only two wickets. However, the duo of Ashwin-Jadeja can prove effective for India at the Kennington Oval which saw 59 wickets fell to spin during the County Championship this year.
Zaheer believes senior pacer Ishant Sharma should make the way for Ashwin in the playing XI if Jadeja is deemed fit to take part in the fourth Test. He also suggested a second change in the bowling attack, presenting a case for Shardul Thakur, who he feels can add more depth to India’s batting line-up as an all-rounder.
Zaheer said Sahrdul might replace Mohammed Siraj to provide much-needed rest to the right-arm pacer, who has 13 wickets to his name so far in the series. “You’ll have to see which bowler didn’t look in rhythm in the last game and also how you started the series. From that perspective, I believe you might not see Ishant Sharma play in this match,” said Zaheer.
“If you are looking for more contributions with the bat, you can also think about Siraj – both from a workload-management perspective and for strengthening the batting. Shardul is such a player who can be used as a bowling all-rounder… and will provide that extra cushion in batting,” he added.
