"Thing that a lot of people get influenced by is just the name, stature"- Sanjay Manjrekar questions R Ashwin's inclusion in XI for BGT 2024-25 opener

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar questioned the potential inclusion of veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI for the opening Test against Australia, starting in Perth on November 22. While India's XI is still to be finalized, recent reports have hinted at the side tilting towards Ashwin as their lone spinner for the series opener.

The other spin-bowling options in the squad include Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo on the eve of the opening Test, Manjrekar feels it to be a no-brainer to play Sundar ahead of Ashwin in the Perth Test.

"For me it was a no-brainer, and the thing that a lot of people get influenced by is just the name, stature and that is the challenge for people who have that job to go beyond that and actually look at current form, the record of that person and make the right choice, and not get too influenced by basically stature of a player. For me Washington Sundar as an off-spinner or one spinner would have been the better choice," he said.

Manjrekar further highlighted Ashwin's batting away from home in SENA conditions as a worry.

"Ashwin had that innings in Sydney where we had that drawn game but generally if you look at his batting performances overseas, whether it's England, South Africa, Australia, compared to his batting performances in India, there's a big difference," he stated.

Ashwin endured a rare off-series with the ball in the three Tests at home against New Zealand recently, picking up only nine wickets at an average of over 41.

Meanwhile, Sundar was one of India's lone shining lights in their 0-3 whitewash against the Black Caps, bagging 16 scalps in two matches at an average of 14.12.

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Comparing Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar's all-round numbers in Australia

CRICKET: JAN 09 Australia v India - Third Test - Source: Getty

Ravichandran Ashwin has historically struggled with the ball in Tests down under, picking up 39 wickets in ten outings at an average of 42.15. However, the veteran off-spinner performed considerably better in India's last two tours in 2018-19 and 2020-21 with 18 wickets in four matches at an average of 27.75.

Meanwhile, his batting has been on and off in Australia with an average of 24 in 19 innings, including two half-centuries.

Coming to Sundar, the 25-year-old has played only the lone Test match in Australia in the 2020/21 tour. With the series tied at 1-1, the Tamil Nadu spin-bowling all-rounder replaced Ashwin and played a massive role in India's stunning three-wicket victory in Brisbane.

Sundar scored a brilliant 62 with the bat in the first innings to help India recover from dire straits and keep the deficit to only 33 runs. He also picked up four wickets in the match to ensure the hosts did not run away with the game.

Overall, Sundar averages 23.86 with the ball and 59 with the bat in six Tests, while Ashwin averages 23.95 with the ball and 25.92 with the willow in 105 Tests.