India vs England: ‘It’s going to be one heck of a decision’ – Ravichandran Ashwin backs unchanged India XI despite Sanju Samson debate
Team India (Image Credit: BCCI) NEW DELHI: Former India pacer Ravichandran Ashwin has backed India to resist changes for the fourth T20I against England despite the team’s disastrous run of form, saying sticking with the same playing XI would send a strong message of stability – even if it means missing out on Sanju Samson again.India’s tour of England has turned from a rebuilding opportunity to a fight for survival. After the opening match was bowled out, England won the next two matches, including a crushing victory at Trent Bridge where India were bowled out for just 76, their heaviest defeat by runs in T20I history.With another loss in Bristol set to hand England the series, pressure has mounted on captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir, while the omission of Samson has become one of the biggest talking points.
Ashwin backs an unchanged XI despite Samson’s appeals
Ashwin said on his YouTube channel that India should resist the temptation to reshuffle the side even as the batting unit is struggling.“In my opinion, the same team should play in the fourth T20I as well. It will be a strong decision,” Ashwin said. “If we build the same team, then that’s something I’m really, really looking forward to. It’ll mean Sanju will be missing again, but it’ll be a heck of a decision.”Samson, who played a key role in India’s successful T20 campaign at the World Cup earlier this year, has been left out and youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been given the nod in his place. After India’s batting collapse in Nottingham, many former players and fans clamored for Samson’s return.However, Ashwin believes that the constant change in the playing XI could create uncertainty in the team.“I think in this situation I really hope that the rest of the players don’t feel insecure. We shouldn’t put others in a similar situation as Samson. The team should get stability,” he said.“I’m hoping he’ll get back to form but I really doubt it. As I said during the Ireland series, I really doubted a stunning comeback. I really doubt a comeback here in England too. There’s still a few games to go. I think it’ll be something to watch,” he added.
“This batting unit will improve with experience”
Ashwin admitted that he expected England to dominate the series due to India’s inexperienced batting line-up and the vastly different conditions from the IPL.“At the start of the Ireland series, I didn’t expect such a result. But after the first T20I, I felt that Ireland could win the series. Against England, I felt from the start that they would win,” he said. “Everybody knows that the Indian batting unit is young. The IPL conditions are different. If there is something on the wicket and the conditions are different, the Indian batting line-up will struggle.”Despite his concerns, the veteran spinner urged patience with the young side rather than big changes.“This batting unit will improve with experience. Stability is important,” Ashwin said.India are now heading into the fourth T20I and need a win to keep the five-match series alive. While calls for Samson’s inclusion continue to grow following India’s batting setbacks, Ashwin believes the bigger priority is to support the current group at a difficult stage rather than making reactive changes.
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