Why was Washington Sundar picked ahead of Ashwin and Jadeja? Shastri gives a massive statement regarding the same

At the coin toss, India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah did not elaborate on the issue but the tourists X1 for the first Test match against Australia at Perth, left a couple of people wondering. For the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, it was conjectured that either Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja would be retained for the sole spinning position what with the history of such occuring overseas, however, Washington Sundar was somewhat surprisingly, given the chance. Many were surprised about Sundar’s inclusion in the team given the hall of fame status of Ashwin and Jadeja. Later during commentary, the former India coach Ravi Shastri gave the reason for such a combination.

In fact, while commenting on Sundar’s place in the playing XI on Day 1 of the Test match at Perth, Ravi Shastri, spoke about how this Tamil Nadu born spinner was selected due to his brilliant recent performances against New Zealand and his capability to bat at ‘any position in the batting order’.

Former Australian cricketer David Warner even posed a question to Shastri regarding whether it was because of Sundar’s batting skills that he was selected ahead of Jadeja and Ashwin. To this the former India all-rounder attested, ‘yes, it was’.

In this game, a total of three debutants got to wear the national colors, two Indian and one Australian. K Reddy with his all-round abilities and H Rana with his right arm seam generated his maiden Test caps whereas Australian Nathan McSweeney has also been given the green light to wear the Baggy Green cap.

“We have decided to bat first as the surface looks favorable. Very pleased with our preparedness. We played a Test match here in 2018 so we have an idea of how it will be. The wicket comes on better. Nitish is making his debut. We have 4 fast bowlers and Washi is the only spinner,” Bumrah said after winning the toss.

Australia captain Pat Cummins, on his part, said that he was ok with the result of the toss, even though he looked inclined towards batting first.

“We were 50-50, but either way, we are pretty happy. This seems well placed, and pretty fresh. In any format, it seems like a very tough series between us and Australia. Nathan McSweeney is making his debut at the top order,” said cummins at the time of toss.