“Is Ashwin not fully fit?” – Aakash Chopra on Washington Sundar’s inclusion in India’s squad for last 2 IND vs NZ 2024 Tests

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Ravichandran Ashwin’s fitness after Washington Sundar was added to India’s squad for the remaining two Test matches against New Zealand. Sundar was added to the Test squad after he scored a fine knock of 152 runs for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy clash against Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium while batting at three. 

The off-spinner also bagged six wickets in the match, which ended in a draw. On the other hand, Ashwin didn’t have a great outing in the opening Test match against New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

“Washington Sundar’s name has come in the team. It was slightly on unexpected lines, although he scored a century just now. He was playing for Tamil Nadu and beat up Delhi. Sai Sudharsan also beat up Delhi. He scored a double hundred and Sundar scored a century,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“He (Sundar) has been given a place in the team. The question that comes to mind is – what is the Indian team thinking? Do they want to play another spinner? There were already plenty of fast bowlers in the traveling reserves. Is Ashwin not fully fit?” the former India opener added.

Meanwhile, Ashwin returned with figures of 1-94 in the first innings and he was given the ball by Rohit Sharma in the second innings when only 10 runs were required for the win. Furthermore, the all-rounder could not deliver the goods with the bat.

“Was it because of that he was given only two overs on the last day? He was bowled when the match was over. It just did not make sense that you don’t bowl Ashwin at all. What is the logic behind that? Since you didn’t bowl him, is he carrying some niggle and you want Washington Sundar as an almost like-for-like in terms of type of skill?” he observed.

Chopra highlighted that Sundar could have been added to the Test squad as New Zealand has plenty of left-handers in the squad.

“Are they thinking that they want to play three spinners, but should play another off-spinner along with Jaddu and Ashwin, and not play Kuldeep, as the opposition team has Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway? Two of those three have scored runs. I am slightly split in which direction Washington Sundar’s selection is pointing,” he said.

India will take on New Zealand in the second Test at Pune from Thursday onwards.