Former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth wants India to play Ravichandran Ashwin in place of Shardul Thakur in the second Test match against South Africa at Cape Town. With Ravindra Jadeja all set to return to the playing XI after recovering from a back spasm, it will be interesting to note India’s final XI.

Meanwhile, Ashwin returned with figures of 1-41 in the first Test match and could only manage scores of 8 and 0 in the two innings.

On the other hand, Shardul Thakur conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 5.30 and could only manage a wicket. Thus, he failed to create any kind of pressure on the South African batters. The right-hander returned with scores of 24 and 2 in the two innings in the opening Test.

“I will still play Ashwin. I believe Ashwin is better than Shardul Thakur. I will play Ashwin in place of Shardul. Even if he doesn’t pick up five-wicket hauls, he will pick up a couple. Probably, he will combine well with jadeja and bowl tight lines. These two can work together and pick up 4-5 wickets, you never know. That should be enough, he would have done his job,” said Srikkanth on his YouTube Channel.

The former attacking opener added it would be unfair to drop Prasidh Krishna after he made his debut in the first Test whereas he feels Thakur doesn’t fit the bill to make the cut into the final XI.

“If at all you are going to make their batters struggle, you do have an opportunity with your spinners. You can beat them in flight, you can try something like that. I will drop Shardul Thakur. Prasidh Krishna, if you drop him now, it’s unfair. He has played one Test only. It’s unfair to drop anyone after their debut. Shardul Thakur does not fit the bill,” Srikkanth added.

The second Test match between South Africa and India will be played at the Newlands, Cape Town from January 3.