IND vs AUS: Ravichandran Ashwin can be lethal in Indian conditions Ravi Shastri gave him big advice to border Gavaskar trophy

Nagpur: Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes that the home team’s performance against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will largely depend on the form of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He said that Ashwin should avoid ‘over-planning’ in this four-match series. Under Shastri’s coach, the Indian team won two consecutive Test series in Australia. He advocated the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav as the third spinner, while advising the team to keep Suryakumar Yadav, who has the ability to change the course of the match, in the middle order.

Shastri said in an interview organized by Star Sports, the official broadcaster of this series, ‘You don’t want Ashwin to over-plan. If he can stick to the plan, it will be enough, he is a very important player in these conditions. His form will decide the course of this series. Ashwin will contribute with the ball as well as with the bat. Shastri said, ‘If Ashwin is in good form then it can decide the result of the series. He is a world class player in different conditions but in Indian conditions he is even more lethal. If the pitch helps the ball and the ball spins, it will trouble most of the batsmen.

Ashwin will have to show his natural game

The former all-rounder said, ‘So you don’t want him to overthink and try different things. He has to play his natural game and the pitching will do the rest. The pitch in India helps a lot. He said, ‘As far as the third spinner is concerned, I would like to see Kuldeep playing. Jadeja and Akshar are very similar bowlers. Kuldeep is different. If you lose the toss on the first day, you need someone who can get you wickets.

He said, ‘Kuldeep has the ability to rotate the ball the most on the first day of the match. If the bowlers don’t get much help from the pitch, then Kuldeep’s importance will increase further. When Shastri was asked what kind of pitch he wanted in this series, he said that such a pitch where the ball should turn from day one. He said, ‘I want the ball to turn from day one. Even if you lose the toss, the pitch will help. Domestic conditions should be taken advantage of.

Shastri advocated the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav in the team, saying that India should keep 12 players ready and Shubman Gill should be part of the team’s plan considering the nature of the pitch. Describing it as a difficult selection to include either of the two in the team, he said, ‘It will be very difficult. You have to pick your best player for number five. Surya is a player who scores runs consistently and rotates the strike. To do well in India, you have to rotate the strike and stop the bowlers from finding their rhythm.

Pitch will be helpful for spinners

A quick 30-40 innings in a spin-friendly pitch can change the course of the match. Shastri is hopeful that former skipper Virat Kohli will continue his strong form against Australia. He said, ‘His record against Australia tells everything. He will be full of enthusiasm and will want to start strong. If he is able to do well in his first two innings, then it will not be easy for Australia to stop him.

Shastri said that it would be very difficult for the team to fill the gap of injured wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. He said that it would be challenging to choose between better batsman Ishan Kishan and better wicketkeeper Kona Bharat in the team. He said, ‘This shows how important Pant is for India. They fit all the slots. He is a dangerous batsman and has played the most match-winning innings in recent times. He said, ‘If the ball turns from the pitch, then a better keeper should play. For Jadeja, Kuldeep and Ashwin, they will need a good keeper behind the stumps. Now it is up to you who do you consider to be the better wicketkeeper.