New Delhi: With the departure of Ravichandran Ashwin, the door of an extra bowler has opened up the possibilities for new spinners to be drafted into the side. With reports of Mohammed Shami not showing any promise of fulfilment, there is a chance that a spinner might be drafted into the squad as a like-for-like replacement for Ashwin.
Moreover, with the remaining games in MCG and SCG, spinners will be playing a pivotal role in the side along with the pace attack. Here are the likely possibilities for who can replace Ashwin.
Kuldeep Yadav
One of the likely options that BCCI might consider is the willy left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav who will bring a lot of incongruity with his bowling action.
Kuldeep Yadav has been India’s No.1 the choice in white-ball series for a few years now. He has also played 12 Test matches and has 54 scalps to his name. He also has a five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Naturally, the Indian squad is in dire need of a spinner, Kuldeep can turn out to be a handy option for the surface of SCG and MCG.
Yadav last played a Test match in March 2024 against England and Ashwin’s retirement has opened the doors for the 30-year-old. It is to be seen whether the selectors are also thinking of Kuldeep in the scheme of things.
Washington Sundar
Sundar is also another prospect to cement his place in the Indian team. At present, he is with the squad in the BGT and also featured in the first match ahead of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Thus, it proves that the management is thinking of Sundar as a potential spin-bowling all-rounder.
Sundar missed out on the last two Tests of BGT but Ashwin’s retirement has opened the doors for him as well. So far, Sundar has played six Test matches and he has scored 354 runs and also has 22 wickets to his name.
Tanush Kotian
Finally, if the authorities decide to tap into the talent pool of the domestic circuit then Tanush Kotian might emerge as a firm favourite to get a place in the Indian team. Further, the right-arm off-spinner may become a permanent replacement for Ashwin.
The 26-year-old has 101 wickets to his name in first-class cricket and also scored 1525 runs, including 2 hundreds and 13 fifties.