R Ashwin’s exclusion from the playing XI from the first Test against England in Nottingham came as a shock to many. Considering the senior off-spinner’s brilliant form in the last few series, Ashwin was expected to be one of the first names in the playing XI. However, that was not the case as India decided to play for pacers in the series-opener.
Ashwin was once again left out of the playing XI for the second Test at Lord’s as skipper Virat Kohli and the team management continued with the combination of four pacers. Ashwin revealed he was close to playing the Lord’s Test but the decision to not include him in the XI was taken after showers came downpouring ahead of the toss on Day 1 of the match.
While it remains to be seen if India will make any changes to the winning combination for the third Test against Joe Root & Co., former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Ashwin should get the nod for the Headingley encounter. Vaughan claimed he will be surprised if Ashwin fails to make the cut for the third Test in a row in the ongoing five-match series.
Vaughan expects the pitch at Headingley to be a bit dry and with little or no rain interference predicted, the spinners might get help. The former England skipper feels India should go ahead with two spinners and three pacers in the Test match. He backed Ashwin to replace veteran pacer Ishant Sharma in the playing XI.
“It looks like it’s a very good week, it’s going to be very dry, nice and sunny so I’d be amazed if Ashwin doesn’t play this week. I think they will go with three pacers and two spinners, and I think that will be the right call at Headingley, it also packs the batting. Play your three out and out, outstanding quick bowlers. Maybe Ishant Sharma would miss out even though he bowled a nice spell on the last day at Lord’s,” Vaughan said.
Vaughan claimed the pitch at Headingley, Leeds has a lot to offer for spinners and becomes drier as the game progresses. He believes spin will play a crucial part for both teams in the third Test.
“The last few years after seeing the England team play there and even county cricket, it’s got quite a bit of spin. You can get a bit of spin. It generally comes on Day 3, 4 and 5 but spin can play a part at Leeds.”
