BGT: Ravichandran Ashwin set to play Perth Test as lone spinner – Report

New Delhi: Ravichandran Ashwin is set to play the first Test as a lone spinner against Australia on November 22 in Perth. As per the Indian Express report, the reason to select Ashwin in the playing XI is due to the three left-handed batters in the Australian line-up.

The surface at the Optus Stadium is expected to be a green carpet and the conditions will also help the fast bowlers most. The Indian team management is looking to play a combination of three pacers, one fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Reddy who is set to play his first Test and one spinner.

The Aussies have Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Alex Carey in their batting unit and Ashwin has a good record against left-handers. He also troubled Steve Smith in the last series who is a crucial batter for Australia.

The Indian squad has three spinners for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy which starts from November 22. Apart from Ashwin, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are also travelling with the team.

Ashwin has played 10 Test matches in Australia and has picked up 39 wickets at an average of 42.15. It has been a tough challenge for Team India to play their two best spinners Ashwin and Jadeja on the Australia tour.

Ashwin needs just six wickets to cross 200-wicket mark in WTC

Ashwin was India’s second highest-wicket-taker on the previous tour, taking 12 wickets in three Test matches. He recently surpassed Nathan Lyon to become the leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) and has the chance to cross the 200-wicket mark in the championship. Ashwin has picked up 194 wickets in WTC and needs just six more wickets to reach the milestone. The Australian great Nathan Lyon has taken 187 wickets and is not far behind Ashwin.

 Ravichandran Ashwin is set to play the first Test against Australia which is set to start on November 22 in Perth.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today