Leg and Off: Should Ravichandran Ashwin start for India in 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test in Adelaide

Team India continued their red-hot run in Tests in Australia by proving the skeptics wrong and winning the opening fixture in Perth by a massive 295 runs. While a dominant performance and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series is everything India could have asked for, they are not short of selection questions heading into the second Test at Adelaide.

One of those is the choice of the ideal spinner for the conditions Adelaide will offer under lights. Team India went for youth over experience in the series opener, with Washington Sundar pipping stalwarts Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as the lone spinner in the attack.

Yet, several fans and experts have called for someone as accomplished as Ashwin to return to the playing XI for the second Test. Meanwhile, others have been split between retaining Sundar or replacing him with Jadeja as the lone tweaker in the side.

Even Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon was surprised by India's decision to exclude the successful duo of Ashwin and Jadeja in favor of Sundar.

"More than surprised. But that's the quality of the Indian cricketers they've got in their squad. Ashwin has over 530 wickets and Ravi [Jadeja] with more than 300 wickets. So it's pretty remarkable to see the quality of players that are sitting on the bench, but I can't control who they run out," he said via Sports Tak.

As the think tank ponders whether India's second-most successful Test bowler should continue warming the benches, let us break down the various factors and figure out if Ashwin should return to the XI for Adelaide.

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#1 Form vs Reputation debacle

India Test Squad Training Session - Source: Getty

Deciding between a highly accomplished senior player and an in-form youngster for the same role has to be the hardest task for team management in cricket. In India's case for the second Test, the decision is anything but straightforward.

Should they go for form, Sundar pips Ashwin comfortably on the back of a sensational home series against New Zealand. The youngster picked up 16 wickets in the two games he played at an average of 14.12, while Ashwin finished with only nine scalps at a woeful average of over 41.

Even with the bat, Sundar averaged an impressive 44.50 against New Zealand on challenging pitches, while Ashwin averaged under nine.

Yet, the other side of the argument is the weightage experience and reputation should carry during selection. It is hard to present a justifiable case of an off-spinner with 536 Test wickets (Ashwin) sitting out in favor of his likely successor with only 24 Test wickets.

However, does Ashwin win out as the No.1 spin-bowling option even if reputation is weighed more? Jadeja also has 319 wickets and better overall numbers with bat and ball than Ashwin in Tests down under.

Hence, even if India select on reputation and overall performances, Jadeja might warrant a place ahead of Ashwin in the playing XI.

Verdict: Both Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja win first rights over Ashwin for the Adelaide Test

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#2 Who fits the specific conditions better?

Australia v India: 1st Test - Day 2 - Source: Getty

During selection, the Indian think tank, however, must remember a Test match with the pink ball under day-night conditions is a different ball game altogether.

While Washington Sundar has played only the lone day-night Test, Ashwin has four such matches under his belt. Sundar's only pink ball outing came at home against England in 2021 and he bowled only four balls in that game.

Meanwhile, Ashwin is arguably India's best exponent of the pink ball with 18 wickets at an average of 13.83. He also played the pink ball Test in Adelaide in India's previous tour to Australia in 2020-21 and picked up five wickets at an excellent average of 14.20.

For all his experience and achievements, even Jadeja has played only two pink ball Tests in his career. The left-arm spinner has struggled with only 1 wicket at a dismal average of 76 despite both games coming at home.

Verdict: Ashwin deserves the nod, given his outstanding record in the pink-ball Test.

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#3 Value of Continuity - If it ain't broke, don't fix it?

Australia v India - Men's 1st Test Match: Day 4 - Source: Getty

Team India are coming off one of their best overseas wins in the Perth Test with a dominant overall performance. It begs the question - why change something after such a comprehensive win?

There must be some value for continuity, team chemistry, and cohesion when the team is coming off such an emphatic win. Sundar cannot be blamed for his limited bowling role in the first innings on seamer-friendly conditions.

And when presented with a fair go in the second innings, the young off-spinner delivered the goods with figures of 2/48 in 15 overs. He also contributed a vital 29 in a match-winning 89-run partnership with Virat Kohli after India had lost three quick wickets in the second innings.

Incidentally, India have won both their Tests Sundar has played on Australian soil and on a potentially low-scoring track, his batting prowess makes him more valuable than Ashwin.

Verdict: Stick with the winning combination - Sundar over Ashwin

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Conclusion

In conclusion, it is hard to find a reason to play Ashwin ahead of Sundar or even Jadeja, unless the pink ball and day-night Test factors heavily into selection. Even if India decide to play two spinners on the morning of the Test match, Jadeja might be a better second option to Sundar ahead of Ashwin, given his overall record in Australia and recent form.