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Gambhir Prefers Ashwin For 1st BGT Test, No Place For Ravindra Jadeja In Playing XI

Ashwin to play over Jaddu [Source: @BCCI/X.Com]Ashwin to play over Jaddu [Source: @BCCI/X.Com]

In the latest development coming from Perth, it has been reported that India head coach, Gautam Gambhir has picked R Ashwin over Ravindra Jadeja for the first Test match and the team will only field a lone spinner in the Perth Test match, starting on November 22.

The Perth deck will assist the seamers with considerable seam movement and extra bounce on offer. As a result, Gambhir has decided to go in with 6 batters, Nitish Kumar Reddy as the pace bowling all-rounder, and Ashwin, the sole spinner. As per Express Sports, Australian team has too many left-handed batters and hence R Ashwin has been given the preference over Jadeja.

The reports also added that India will go in with 3 quicks, Ashwin the spinner and the fifth bowling option will be Nitish Kumar Reddy, who could be quite useful on the Perth surface. Ashwin doesn't have the most promising record playing in Australian conditons.

The wily spinner has played 10 matches, and has picked up 39 wickets, at an average of 42.15. He had a great series last time around in 2020-21 and will hope for a better showing as the spin department rests on his shoulders.

India to make plethora of changes

Even before the start of the series, India have been jolted with Injury crisis. Shubman Gill will miss the first Test due to a fractured left thumb injury, plus, Yashasvi Jaiswal had a neck sprain during the training session on Tuesday.

KL Rahul also had an injury, a couple of days ago, but fortunately, he is back with the squad. With no Rohit Sharma in the squad and Gill injured, India are likely to feature an inexperienced top-6, with just Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant having the experience of playing in Australian conditions.

After the drubbing at the hands of New Zealand, India will have to beat the Aussies, 4-0 to qualify for the WTC finals.