“There is no debate, Ashwin must play” – Sourav Ganguly ahead of opening BGT Test against Australia

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has urged the selectors and the team’s think tank to back Ravichandran Ashwin as the first-choice spinner for the opening Test match against Australia. Ganguly wants Ashwin to play ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in the final XI.

Mostly Jadeja has been preferred as the first choice spinner in the foreign conditions and India has played with a solitary spinner in him. 

Meanwhile, Ashwin wasn’t at his best in the three-match Test series against New Zealand, which the hosts lost 3-0 at home. The veteran off-spinner could only pick nine wickets in three games at an average of 41.22 and he will be determined to turn a corner.

Sourav Ganguly said in an interview with RevSportz, “There is no debate, Ashwin must play. Your best spinner must play. In Test cricket, play specialists. Also, against the number of left-handers in the Australian line-up, Ashwin is certain to have impact.

“Yes, there is [Ravindra] Jadeja and Washington [Sundar] and both bat well, but you must go in with your best spinner in the first Test. Play with specialist batsmen and bowlers, and that’s where Ashwin is my choice,” the 52-year-old added.

On the other hand, Australia’s lead spinner Nathan Lyon said Ravichandran Ashwin has taught him a lot during his career.

“He’s taught me a lot. I’m a big believer in the players that you play against are your best coaches that you eventually come across. I’ve watched a lot of his footage heading over to India, the way he goes about it here in Australia, see if I can pick up anything,” Lyon told Fox Cricket.

“There’s so much to learn in this great game, and there’s so much for me to learn off Ash. He’s a world-class bowler. He’s taken over 500 Test match wickets and he should be extremely proud of that,” the 36-year-old added.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.