India's hopes of bouncing back from a crushing ten-wicket defeat to Australia in Adelaide have focused on the third Test at Brisbane, with the series balanced at 1-1. The stakes are very high now, and veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara indicated a crucial change to the playing XI.
Pujara backed Washington Sundar in over Ravichandran Ashwin for the all-important series so that India can strengthen their batting line-up and take charge.
The advice came after Ashwin had a lacklustre outing in Adelaide where he claimed just 1/53 in 18 overs. One of India's most seasoned bowlers, Ashwin feels Pujara thinks that they need Sundar's all-round talents to overcome their poor batting.
"I feel only one change might happen. Since the batting wasn't good, Washington Sundar can come in place of R Ashwin. Should someone come in place of Harshit Rana? In my opinion, no. You backed him and he performed well in the first match," Pujara said on Star Sports.
Sundar, who was crucial in India's historic win over Brisbane in 2021, provides a solid off-spinner and a stubborn lower-order batsman. Sundar's inclusion could stretch India's batting line-up without jeopardizing their bowling lineup as he was a part of India's 295-run victory in the Perth game. He took two wickets and added 33 runs during the match before giving his place to Ashwin in the Adelaide game.
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