Gautam Gambhir calls for Ashwin to bat at number four in ODIs

Ravichandran Ashwin is undoubtedly one of the most skilled spinners India have ever produced. However, he only plays Test cricket for the last one year owing to the emergence of the wrist-spin twin Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, who have cemented their spot in the limited-overs squads. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer last played an ODI back in June 2017 when the Men in Blue toured the West Indies.

Virat Kohli and his troops are currently in England for a three-match ODI series. While Ashwin isn’t a part of that squad, he is most certainly going to return in the upcoming Test series, which gets underway on August 1 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Apart from his wily prowess with the red ball, he is also more than a handy batsman with as many as four Test centuries under his belt.

It gives you a sixth bowling option

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir, former Indian opener-turned cricket analyst, mentioned that the 31-year-old should be drafted into the ODI playing eleven. Moreover, he called for the bowling all-rounder to bat at number four and also backed his words with an explanation. According to Gambhir, in that scenario, India will have three quality spinners as they have Chahal and Kuldeep already in the squad.

“I’ll probably back Ashwin to play and Hardik to bat at six if given that responsibility. Ashwin can bat at seven or four as well. KL Rahul can bat at five and Dhoni at six and maybe Hardik at seven as well. You’ve got three quality spinners for that matter. You’ve got Ashwin, Kuldeep, and Chahal as well. Maybe Ashwin or Jadeja can be given the responsibility to bat at four,” Gambhir said while talking on Cricbuzz Live.

“Someone batting at four will be an accumulator as well. He’s not someone who’ll give you a 60-ball or a 70-ball hundred. Even if he chips in with 30 to 40 runs at run-a-ball then you’ve got the firepower with Hardik, Rahul, and MS Dhoni to come as the finisher as well. It gives you a sixth bowling option and you’ve got a proper quality attack,” the Delhi-born cricketer added.

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