In R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, India have a settled spin combination in Tests. With the two experienced spinners, who also happen to be key all-rounders in the long-format, now more of red ball specialists, there isn’t much shake up in store. With Axar Patel struggling in long format, the selectors are keen on grooming the next in line. While all the eyes are on batsmen and the pacers, four spinners will be watched with key interest at the Duleep Trophy.
R Sai Kishore
Was last season’s highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy with 53 scalps. Among those in contention, the 27-year-old is the one who looks ready to play Test cricket. With a high trajectory – thanks to his height (around 185 cm), Sai Kishore’s biggest strength is his consistency in terms of hitting the right line and length and his variations in speed. Has toiled in the domestic circuit and last Ranji season had a standout spell against Cheteshwar Pujara, keeping him rooted to the crease. Like his idol Ashwin, he is known to be very methodical, which prompted TN to make him captain last season. Though he isn’t as equipped as Jadeja and Ashwin with the bat, he is a bankable batsman capable of building partnerships.
Manav Suthar
Another left-arm spinner in the fray, but totally different from Sai Kishore. The 22-year-old has 55 wickets in his last two Ranji seasons, but there is a reason why he is being hyped as the best emerging spinner. Last year, when India had a camp in Alur before the Asia Cup and World Cup, Suthar happened to be the surprise package. With a very repeatable action, which is easy on the eye like Sunil Joshi’s, Suthar managed to get such drift and turn with the whiteball that it made India’s think-tank wonder what he could do with the red ball. In that camp, he happened to trouble the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav repeatedly. Those who watched him bowl in the camp reveal, a stunning dismissal of Surya – where he squared up the batsman – made heads turn. Earlier this year, he was included for the unofficial Tests against England Lions at home. Seems to have climbed in the pecking order as he is young and also known to be a handy batsman.
Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin in action. (File Photo)
Washington Sundar
In the last two series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Washington showed he has found his rhythm back. India are short in terms of emerging off-spinners, a variety who continue to trouble modern-day batsmen. It is why Washington will be followed with key interest. Since playing a Test match against England at Ahmedabad in 2021, he hasn’t come close to making the XI. Only during the recent series against the same opponents did he win his place in the Test squad. Due to international white-ball commitments and injuries in the past, he hasn’t had a run of games in red ball cricket to show his potential. With form by his side, Washington has a chance to show he is Test match ready should a need arise. And more importantly, in terms of providing balance to the side, Washington will have a lot to offer as he can also double up as a batsman.
Saurabh Kumar
Another left-arm spinner who recently made it to the Test squad during the recent series against England earlier this year. The 31-year-old is amongst the experienced ones in the domestic circuit, and his classical, old-school style even won high praises from Bishan Singh Bedi in the past. Because of his slow pace, he has played only 33 T20s in total, which is just a half of his first-class experience. Be it Duleep Trophy or Irani Trophy, Saurabh has tasted success and has done everything to retain his spot in the Test squad. With competition increasing around him, and the rest are younger than him, only a pile of wickets in the Duleep Trophy will help make a strong case. And thankfully for Saurabh, he isn’t a mug with the bat, as he has two first-class centuries and 13 fifties.
