Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin was critical of Shubman Gill's handling of spinners during the Test series against West Indies. He remarked that Gill's rotation of bowlers wasn't "ideal" and pointed out how he didn't give long spells to spinners and this led to the bowlers not having any balance. Though India did win the series by 2-0, Ashwin still wasn't quite satisfied with the 25-year-old's captaincy during the assignment.
"It is okay for Axar to be there. If there is a rank turner and you want to play a seamer light, he can come in. Remember that his batting in Tests is very underrated. But having that one extra spinner (in 11) will make you rotate the bowlers left and right. In the last series as well, Shubman's rotation of bowlers was not ideal. He was not giving spinners long spells. You think bowlers will take wickets by rotating in short spells but Test matches don't work like that. I believe five bowlers will give you ample balance," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin on India's bowling combination
Ashwin further analyzed the spin combination that India may go for in the upcoming two-match Test series aggainst South Africa that will commence from November 14. Notably, the hosts have decided to keep a total of four spin options in the squad in Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
Axar to miss out?
Ashwin feels that while Kuldeep, Sundar and Jadeja are likely to play, Axar will only get a chance in the XI if one of the other three spinners miss out. He also pointed out that playing too many turners will make it hard for the captain to rotate them during the match.
"It will all depend on the conditions. The ball may not turn a lot. So you have to decide how many spinners you want. The conundrum is Jadeja is locked and Kuldeep has to play. Washington will play too. Axar's chance will come only when Jadeja is not there, that is very clear. If you play too many spinners then rotation will be an issue," Ashwin stated.
India's squad for South Africa Tests: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.