Brisbane Test: Revolving door for Indian spinners
On Day 1 of the third Test, India’s spin selection raised questions, with Jadeja picked over Ashwin and Washington, despite varying performances.
Brisbane: There wasn’t much cricket played on Day 1 of the third Test at the Gabba, but the toss was enough to have many wondering about India’s overseas spin policy, or if they indeed have one.
As things stand, Washington Sundar played in the first Test, R Ashwin in the second and now, India have picked Ravindra Jadeja for the third. All of this when Nathan Lyon, Australia’s most successful off-spinner, has taken just two wickets at an average of 62.50.
Compared to Lyon, Washington and Ashwin have been better but at the same time, the role spinners have had to play in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series has been very limited.
Many expected Jadeja, the regular overseas spinner for India, to play the first Test but in the absence of skipper Rohit Sharma, he didn’t. The team didn’t go to Ashwin either. They went with Washington.
“A bit surprised that they started with an off-spinner. Jadeja has been preferred. This has been the way to go,” former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports.
And Washington wasn’t a bad choice either. He is 25. Ashwin is 38 and Jadeja is 36. Both the senior spinners are unlikely to be around for another tour of Australia. So, go with the younger bowler and let him gain experience. Washington was also India’s highest wicket-taker in the recent three-Test series against New Zealand with 16 wickets, and he played only the last two games.
To be fair, Washington did what was asked of him at Perth. The first innings was a blowout but in the second innings the off-spinner got in 15 overs, took two wickets and had a decent economy rate of 3.20. His 29 off 94 balls showed that he could occupy the crease as well.
So, when Adelaide came around, not many expected a change. But India decided to go with Ashwin as they thought he was a more attacking bowler than Washington. Perhaps their decision was also influenced by the success Lyon has had at the venue and Ashwin’s record in pink-ball Tests.
Like Washington in the first Test, Ashwin did his thing. He bowled 18 overs, gave away just 53 runs (ER 2.94) and claimed one wicket. To put his performance in perspective, the only other bowler with a better economy rate than him was Jasprit Bumrah. All the other bowlers went at over four runs per over.
Just before the Adelaide Test, Rohit was asked how difficult it was to keep Ashwin or Jadeja out of the playing XI and his answer showed how much respect he had for what both have achieved in their careers.
“It’s always hard to leave out experienced players like Jadeja and Ashwin,” said Rohit. “The decision was made, whatever was best for the team at that particular time, and whatever the management felt at that particular time is the right thing to do, we did that. And that is, I think, what throughout the series we will look to do. Whatever we feel at that particular time is the right thing to do, we’ll try and do that.”
“What they bring to the table will never be written off because they are quality players, and whatever success Indian cricket has had over the past few years is largely because of these two guys as well. It’s important for us to realise certain grounds here will bring certain players in the game a lot more. Whatever suits the team the best, we try and make those decisions based on what we see in front of us.”
That may explain, to a degree, why India have gone to Jadeja now. But explaining that to Washington or Ashwin won’t be easy and unless the left-arm spinner does well, we might see the revolving door strategy help no one in particular.
Give Ashwin or Jadeja enough time and they will start to work out the opposition batters, but sometimes they have to be given enough to spin their web. Lyon may not have had a great impact in the series yet, but he has a great record in Australia and a consistent selection policy will perhaps help Ashwin or Jadeja do the same.
And in case they decide to go with Washington, it will give his confidence a big boost and perhaps set him up for future success. Of course, a lot may depend on how Jadeja bowls at Brisbane, but then again, given what we have seen so far, it may not.
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