Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

India mull whether to recall Ashwin at SCG

India's star offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin could return from injury to face Australia in the series-deciding fourth Test at the SCG.

cricket
Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin could return to the side for the fourth Test against Australia. (AAP)

India face a selection dilemma as they press for a historic Test series victory over Australia, with Ravichandran Ashwin in line for a recall at the spin-friendly SCG.

The prolific offspinner missed the second and third Tests with an abdominal strain but is expected to be available for the series-finale starting January 3.

Should Ashwin prove his fitness, India must weigh up whether to change a winning XI after retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy in Melbourne.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja snagged five wickets to help secure a 2-1 series lead and put India on the cusp of clinching their first Test series win in Australia.

Australia's decision to add Marnus Labuschagne to their squad suggests there will be plenty in the SCG pitch for the spinners, meaning India could play both Ashwin and Jadeja.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Jasprit Bumrah is an automatic selection after snaring nine wickets in Melbourne and it would be a tough call to drop either of Mohammed Shami or Ishant Sharma from a pace attack described as the best India has ever produced.

"I think Ashwin's very close to being match-fit," skipper Virat Kohli said in Melbourne.

"He's been bowling a lot of overs and I'm sure these next four days will make him even stronger.

"Regardless of it being the last Test match, he will be willing to push himself and start for the team but it depends on what kind of pitch we get in Sydney."

Kohli was full of praise for his bowlers after they restricted Australia to scores of 151 and 261 in Melbourne, capping off a fine year for the attack.

"The fact that they have taken total ownership of their skill and taken responsibility for the team is what has set them apart this calendar year," Kohli said.

"The results are there for everyone to see."


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world