Why India Cricket Team must pick R Ashwin over Washington Sundar for IND vs AUS pink-ball Test?

Team India will return to Adelaide for a Pink Ball Test after 1450 days. But the memories of 36-all-out will continue to haunt them. While in these four years, a lot has changed in the India Cricket Team, their Pink Ball Test record hasn’t had many additions. And the inexperience could be troubling against wounded Aussies who lost the IND vs AUS Perth Test by a humiliating 295-run margin. After leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin in the Perth Test, India now must pick him back over Washington Sundar in the ND vs AUS Pink Ball Test to keep the winning momentum going.

Virat Kohli and R Ashwin are the only two players to play all of India’s Pink Ball Tests. Ashwin is the leading wicket-taker for India in Day/Night Tests with 18 scalps. His Tamil Nadu competitor Washington Sundar has played just a match, bowling four deliveries in total for a wicket.

R Ashwin vs Washington Sundar in Adelaide?

Washington Sundar got the go-ahead in the IND vs AUS Perth Test considering his current form. He had lukewarm returns in Perth as he picked up three wickets in two innings combined. His batting contributions were also not up to satisfaction as he scored 4 and 29 in two innings.

But to erase the memory of the 36 all-out and take a 2-0 lead in the IND vs AUS Test series, Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma must make some conscious decisions. And R Ashwin must be one of them.

IND vs AUS Pink Ball Test: Why Ashwin should be considered?

The pink ball is manufactured differently than the red cherry. While Axar Patel should have been the first choice, since he is not in the squad, the sole spinner must be R Ashwin.

Better drift and variation

While Washington Sundar is a skilled batter, Ashwin is way ahead in the bowling department. The Kookaburra pink ball offers less grip due to the lacquered surface and harder seam. Sundar won’t be as effective. Ashwin is a master of variations. He can use flight, drift and the carrom ball (yes, even in Tests) to bamboozle the batters. He is taller than Sundar and that could help him get more bounce in the IND vs AUS Pink Ball Test in Adelaide.

If the weather stays sunny, R Ashwin can trouble the Australian batters who are more experienced in playing Pink Ball cricket. The Adelaide Oval pitch tends to crack quicker under the sun. And that could help Ashwin get some turn.

Pink ball factor

While Washington Sundar can offer more depth in batting, Ashwin won’t be any less effective. He has as many Test centuries as MS Dhoni and can extend the tail further. Considering how India crumbled under pressure in Adelaide last time out, India might need a more experienced head for the Pink Ball Test.

But it all comes down to experience. Ashwin has played more Pink Ball Test and has more experience of the Kookaburran pink ball than Washington Sundar. His adaptability and experience could be key to beating Australia in Adelaide where India have won just two Tests in 76 years.