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Ashwin was overlooked the last time India played a Test at this venue, the first-ever to be held at the Optus Stadium, back in 2018 © Getty
Ravichandran Ashwin looks all set to play his first Test in Perth on Friday (November 22) on what is his fifth tour of Australia. The record-breaking premier off-spinner missed out on both occasions that India played in the city on his previous visits to the country, with successive team managements opting for four-prong pace attacks, with no success.
Ashwin is expected to play as the lone spinner with Nitish Kumar Reddy firming up as the latest Test debutant as the seam-bowling all-rounder. That also marks a change in attitude towards the veteran, with the previous selectors on tour having stuck with Ravindra Jadeja for the last 3-4 years as the first-choice spin option outside the subcontinent.
While Ashwin might not have the most impressive overall record on Australian soil, averaging 42.15 for his 39 wickets across 10 Tests, his performances on the last couple of tours have played an integral role in setting up series wins for India. And this will be a significant show of faith in the 38-year-old's world-class skills on a pitch that has suited Nathan Lyon as much as it has the Australian fast bowlers.
Ashwin has only played 10 Tests outside the subcontinent or the Caribbean, since the Adelaide Test of 2018, and in most cases either alongside Jadeja or when the left-arm spinner has been injured or been missing in action.
Ashwin skipped the press conference he was scheduled to attend on Wednesday (November 20), and instead rushed to the nets to have a bowl, before walking out to have a chat with the curator, Isaac McDonald. He then went back in and had a bat.
On Thursday, he was the last to leave the Optus Stadium on the eve of the Test, after walking out to the centre again to analyse the pitch alongside his trusted confidant, Hari, the team analyst. This after he'd had another hit at the back.
Ashwin was overlooked the last time India played a Test at this venue, the first-ever to be held at the Optus Stadium, back in 2018 when India decided to bring in a fourth fast bowler. This despite the ace spinner having bowled excellently in Adelaide, where India won. With the likes of Umesh Yadav unable to provide the control needed on this surface, India had to turn to Hanuma Vihari's useful part-time off-spin as he ended up bowling 14 overs each across both innings.
Ashwin's inclusion also could mean a promotion in the batting for him unless Reddy is preferred at No 7. It'll also be interesting to see how he goes with Jasprit Bumrah at the helm, the first time in his lengthy career that he'll play under a bowling captain.
Ravichandran Ashwin looks all set to play his first Test in Perth on Friday (November 22) on what is his fifth tour of Australia. The record-breaking premier off-spinner missed out on both occasions that India played in the city on his previous visits to the country, with successive team managements opting for four-prong pace attacks, with no success.
Ashwin is expected to play as the lone spinner with Nitish Kumar Reddy firming up as the latest Test debutant as the seam-bowling all-rounder. That also marks a change in attitude towards the veteran, with the previous selectors on tour having stuck with Ravindra Jadeja for the last 3-4 years as the first-choice spin option outside the subcontinent.
While Ashwin might not have the most impressive overall record on Australian soil, averaging 42.15 for his 39 wickets across 10 Tests, his performances on the last couple of tours have played an integral role in setting up series wins for India. And this will be a significant show of faith in the 38-year-old's world-class skills on a pitch that has suited Nathan Lyon as much as it has the Australian fast bowlers.
Ashwin has only played 10 Tests outside the subcontinent or the Caribbean, since the Adelaide Test of 2018, and in most cases either alongside Jadeja or when the left-arm spinner has been injured or been missing in action.
Ashwin skipped the press conference he was scheduled to attend on Wednesday (November 20), and instead rushed to the nets to have a bowl, before walking out to have a chat with the curator, Isaac McDonald. He then went back in and had a bat.
On Thursday, he was the last to leave the Optus Stadium on the eve of the Test, after walking out to the centre again to analyse the pitch alongside his trusted confidant, Hari, the team analyst. This after he'd had another hit at the back.
Ashwin was overlooked the last time India played a Test at this venue, the first-ever to be held at the Optus Stadium, back in 2018 when India decided to bring in a fourth fast bowler. This despite the ace spinner having bowled excellently in Adelaide, where India won. With the likes of Umesh Yadav unable to provide the control needed on this surface, India had to turn to Hanuma Vihari's useful part-time off-spin as he ended up bowling 14 overs each across both innings.
Ashwin's inclusion also could mean a promotion in the batting for him unless Reddy is preferred at No 7. It'll also be interesting to see how he goes with Jasprit Bumrah at the helm, the first time in his lengthy career that he'll play under a bowling captain.