Ravichandran Ashwin backs Arshdeep Singh to make his Test debut at Oval against England

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Arshdeep Singh to make his Test debut against England at the Kennington Oval, London. Singh has taken 66 wickets in 21 first-class matches at an average of 30.37.

Meanwhile, Singh took 13 wickets in eight innings at an average of 41.8 while playing for Kent in County cricket. The left-arm seamer would bring a different angle to the crease and he can get the ball to move back into the right-handers.

Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Arshdeep Singh will play, I have no doubts about it. He has experience in these conditions and can swing the ball. He did pretty well in his county stint. The left-armer angle will be useful as well.”

Ashwin reckons India would back Shardul Thakur ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in the line-up despite having three seamers. 

“Even if India plays these three seamers (Siraj, Akash, Arshdeep), I still think they will end up going with Shardul Thakur. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling. There are two spinners, so they might go with Shardul,” he added.

The former Indian all-rounder said he feels Prasidh Krishna should be backed in the team as he could get extra bounce because of his height.

“If I were India, I would be looking at Prasidh Krishna. Mitchell Marsh got a five-wicket haul at The Oval in the Ashes. He swung the ball from his height. There is much more bounce at The Oval. If not Kuldeep, they could go with Prasidh.”

Krishna has scalped six wickets in two Test matches at an average of 55.17 against England in the ongoing series and thus has failed to impress.

The fifth and final Test match between England and India will be played at the Kennington Oval, London, from 31st July onwards.