Former English cricketer Michael Vaughan has opined that he would want Virat Kohli to include Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI for the Oval Test. This is after Team India lost by a huge margin to England in the third Test at Leeds. The fourth Test would start on September 2nd at the Oval.
India suffered a huge defeat in the third game
After pulling off an incredible victory at the Lord’s, Team India came up with a disastrous performance in the third game. The team got all-out for just 78 runs in the first innings and, hence, conceded a big lead. In the second innings, although the batsmen started confidently, a collapse occurred and India lost the game. England drew level in the series after winning the Leeds test by an innings and 76 runs.
Team India’s playing XI selection was criticized for the third Test
As per the views of the fans and the pundits, India did not nail its selection of the playing XI for the Leeds Test. Although the same team had won the game at the Lord’s, a few opinions suggested that if India had a bowling all-rounder at No.8, the team might have competed better. Hence, there have been calls for the playing XI to be changed for the Oval Test.
Vaughan wants Ashwin in the playing XI for the Oval Test
Speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special Podcast, the former England skipper said, “Pujara will keep his place. Ashwin has to come in. They can’t have 4 tail-enders. They got away with it at Lord’s, you can’t have four rabbits at 8, 9, 10 and 11. Ashwin has to play, he has got 5 Test match hundreds, he has got 400 Test wickets, he has to come into this Test team.”
He further added, “In the Indian dressing room, there is a lot of experience. The last two games are two really good venues and two venues where you can say spin has played a part historically. I would be staggered if R Ashwin is not on the team sheet on Thursday morning.”
On Twitter, too, Vaughan brought out the hashtag #BringAshwinBack in support of the views regarding Ashwin’s inclusion that he mentioned in the Cricbuzz interview. Even Harsha Bhogle admitted that Ashwin is likely to play the Oval Test.
#BringAshwinBack https://t.co/TFa8FS1y2h
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 28, 2021
