Ashwin lauds Saransh Jain's Test selection, questions Sundar's role clarity
India's veteran off-spinner R Ashwin has praised Madhya Pradesh's Saransh Jain after he received his maiden Test call-up as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar. The 33-year-old Jain was named in India's 15-man squad for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, starting August 15.
Jain's selection is notable as he becomes only the third Indian cricketer after Murali Vijay and Mohammad Shami to be picked for the national squad without an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract. Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, commended Jain's skills and approach.
“I am very happy for him. I have seen him. I think very highly of him. He bowls wide off the crease. He attacks. He is a different type of off-spinner. His job is to take wickets. He has done a very commendable job. I hope he gets a chance,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin acknowledged that with Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Manav Suthar also in the squad, Jain might not get an opportunity immediately. “Manav will play. Jadeja and Kuldeep will play, so he might have to sit out too. But I really hope because he has it in him to perform,” he added.
Ashwin also raised questions about Washington Sundar's role in the Test side. Sundar, who is a batting all-rounder, has been effective but Ashwin believes the team management needs to define his primary role. “Sundar's performance has been good. But again, in Test cricket, I want to ask Sundar's role definition. He is a very good batter, I agree. More than handy spinner. But India has to decide and communicate to Sundar what is his first role. Is he a top six batter or is he one of my top 4 bowlers?” Ashwin asked.
He stressed that Sundar should be considered a batting all-rounder who bats in the top six. “He is a match-winning bowler. He has to bat in the top six. If I am there, I am going to tell him to bat in the top six. It is important to define his role. If India loses, the question will come whether he is a batter or a bowler. He gets criticised, but I would question how he has been used,” he explained.
The Indian Test squad for Sri Lanka includes four spinners: Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, and Saransh Jain. The tour begins with the first Test in Galle on August 15.
