Ravichandran Ashwin picks India’s playing 11 for ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test, backs Washington Sundar at one drop

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has picked India’s playing XI for the fourth Test match against England. Ashwin has backed his Tamil Nadu teammate Washington Sundar to bat at number three for the visitors.

Karun Nair batted at number three in the last two Test matches but he has failed to deliver the goods. The right-hander had returned with scores of 40 and 14 runs in the last Test match at Lord’s.

“If you have a lot of faith on Washington Sundar’s batting send him at No.3 and play Kuldeep Yadav. You bring Sai Sudharsan for Karun Nair or send Sundar. I would say play Washington, Jadeja is also there, then play Sai or Dhruv Jurel, go with one less specialist bowler and back your spinner. The fourth fast bowler role, play that with Kuldeep,” Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’. 

Ashwin said Sai Sudharsan should be played at number three if he is part of the playing XI.

“If you don’t look at Sai Sudharsan as your No.3 or an opener, then there was no need to play him at that position in the first Test. If you wanted Karun, he should have played at No.3 right away. You played him at three and removed him and the next two Tests Karun has batted there. Karun has looked elegant and solid till he got out. It did not look like he was hurried or under pressure. He will want to make a big score and seal his spot. I would dearly like to see him get all five Tests,” he said. 

The former Indian off-spinner believes Shardul Thakur will play in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been ruled out of the rest of the series due to knee injury.

“I am worried that we might extend our batting again. Think the like-for-like replacement of Nitish Kumar Reddy is Shardul, play Shardul. I have a suspicion that Shardul will play in place of Nitish,” he reckoned.

The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.