Fri Nov 22 05:18:09 UTC 2024: ## Surprise Pick: Washington Sundar to Bowl Lone Spin for India in Perth Test

**Perth, Australia:** India has sprung a surprise selection for the second Test against Australia, opting for Washington Sundar as their sole spinner instead of the more experienced Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja. While Sundar’s recent strong performance against New Zealand on home pitches might explain the choice, it’s a significant departure from past selections, especially considering Ashwin’s success in Australia, notably against Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in their last series.

Sundar impressed against New Zealand, but his effectiveness on turning tracks raises questions about his ability to replicate that performance on the potentially less-spinning Perth pitch. While he possesses the ability to extract bounce and is a valuable lower-order batsman, his minimal spin compared to Ashwin and Jadeja leaves some uncertainty about his suitability for the Australian conditions. The Perth pitch itself remains a variable; pre-match predictions of pace and bounce have been tempered by recent rain.

India’s batting lineup also presents challenges, with the absences of Rohit Sharma (paternity leave) and Shubman Gill (fractured finger). The opening position, already a concern with Abhimanyu Easwaran’s inconsistent form, has led to the late inclusion of Devdutt Padikkal in the playing XI.

The absence of Ashwin is particularly noteworthy, given his past mastery over Smith. Their past encounters, highlighted by a memorable dismissal of Smith in the Boxing Day Test, showcased Ashwin’s skill in exploiting the batsman’s vulnerabilities. Whether Sundar can devise a similarly effective strategy against Smith and Labuschagne remains to be seen.

Former Tamil Nadu coach WV Raman advocates for Sundar’s use as a batting all-rounder, suggesting he’s better utilized higher up the order in Test matches. This second Test in Perth will provide a significant opportunity for Sundar to prove his worth on a big stage.

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