'He’ll Probably Walk Back in Team at Expense of R Ashwin': Sunil Gavaskar Suggests 2 Changes in IND's XI For 2nd Test vs SA

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has suggested a couple of changes in India’s XI for the second Test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. India suffered an embarrassing an innings and 32-run defeat in the series opener as Rohit Sharma and Co. failed to match the intensity and were completely outclassed by the Proteas on a tricky batting surface.

It was a dismal batting and bowling performance by India as they were bundled out for 245 and 131, meanwhile, the bowlers failed to get their plans right on a surface where swing was on offer.

The Indian bowlers had a tough outing in the Centurion Test as their third and fourth-choice pacers – Shardul Thakur (1/101 in 19 overs) and Prasidh Krishna (1/93 in 20 overs) – were all over the place.

The two failed to get their line and length right on a surface which had assistance for the pacers. South Africa took complete advantage of their errors and managed to post 408 on the scoreboard.

Meanwhile, Gavaskar suggested that India should replace Ravichandran Ashwin with Ravindra Jadeja if the latter gets fit in time, while he also wants the team management to give a chance to Mukesh Kumar in place of Krishna.

“My playing XI would be not too many changes. I think Jadeja once he’s fit, he’ll probably walk back in the team at the expense of Ravichandran Ashwin that’s what it looks to be because Ravichandran Ashwin was hardly used in the previous game, and there could be a change in terms of the new ball bowling with Mukesh Kumar coming in place of Prasidh Krishna,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Jadeja had missed out on the first Test against South Africa after picking up a back spasm. However, a PTI report suggests that Jadeja could be available for the second Test against South Africa which will be held in Cape Town.

The report also mentioned that Jadeja was “part of the warm-up session before the proceedings started in the middle.”

Meanwhile, during the same discussion, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also suggested a change as he wants India to sit out Krishna and play Mukesh Kumar or Avesh Khan in his place.

“One change if you can think of then in fast bowling, bring Mukesh Kumar or Avesh Khan in place of Prasidh Krishna,” Pathan said.