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BGT 2024-25: Why Are Ashwin And Ravindra Jadeja Not Playing In 1st Test Against Australia?

Aashay Chopade

Ashwin-Jadeja are not playing in 1st Test (Source: @LoyalSachinFan/X.com)Ashwin-Jadeja are not playing in 1st Test (Source: @LoyalSachinFan/X.com)

The all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy is here! India have won the toss in Perth and have decided to bat first. The visitors have two debutants - Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy while Washington Sundar is playing as a lone-spinner ahead of seniors like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

The move to select Washington Sundar over Ashwin and Jadeja is quite a bold one, and one of the main reasons of his inclusion in the playing XI is his recent performance against the Kiwis and the stability he provides with the bat. Australia have quite a few left-handers in their line-up, so the team management were looking for an off-spinner against them and that brought down Ravindra Jadeja in the pecking order.

India Opt For Form Over Experience

So, it was a toss-up between Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar, and the team management have decided to go with the man in form rather than the player with more experience. Sundar also did well in the Gabba Test during the BGT 2020-21 and played big role in India's famous win both with the bat and ball. The Tamil Nadu lad picked 16 wickets in the two Test matches he played against New Zealand and has shown good temperament with the bat in testing conditions.

Ashwin and Jadeja, on the other hand, would be disappointed as they have done brilliantly over the years. However, it seems that team management is now looking beyond them and it would be interesting to see how Washington Sundar goes about his business. 

Apart from Sundar, the Devdutt Padikkal is also another bold inclusion along with two debutants and with India batting first, they would be hoping that openers start off well in the first session.