With the Indian team missing key players for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener, reports suggest that the Men in Blue are likely to field Ravichandran Ashwin as the sole spinner alongside three pacers in the first Test at Perth.
According to Cricbuzz, Ashwin is expected to lead the spin attack, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to debut as a seam-bowling all-rounder. This decision could sideline Ravindra Jadeja, India’s go-to spin-bowling all-rounder in SENA conditions, for the series opener. Notably, this will mark Ashwin’s first Test appearance in Perth during his fourth tour to Australia over the last 13 years. Known for its pacer-friendly pitches, the Perth wicket presents a fresh challenge for the veteran off-spinner.
Ashwin, who was scheduled to attend a press conference on November 20, reportedly opted to focus on training instead. He headed straight to the nets for a bowling session before discussing the pitch conditions with curator Isaac McDonald.
While Ashwin’s career has been exceptional, his record in Australia remains modest, with 39 wickets from 10 Tests at an average of 42.15.
