Dinesh Karthik supports Washington Sundar as a potential replacement to R Ashwin

For many years, notably in Test cricket, Indian spin virtuoso R Ashwin has led the attack. With veteran Harbhajan Singh hanging up his boots, the squad needed a finger spinner. Since assuming the role, Ashwin has played 100 Test matches for India and is still going strong. Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has offered his thoughts on the 37-year-old’s possible successor as his time runs out.

After playing his final One-Day International (ODI) against Australia in the 2023 World Cup, Ashwin did not play in any more matches. Against England in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2022, he played his final T20I. He will probably play in the forthcoming red-ball series against Bangladesh as white-ball cricket appears to be beyond his reach.

Washington Sundar, in Dinesh Karthik opinion, is India’s best bet for next-generation spinners.

In the most recent India ‘A’ series against the England Lions, three off-spinners were used in three matches: Pulkit Narang, Washington Sundar, and Saransh Jain. This indicates that India is undoubtedly searching for a next-generation off-spinner, Karthik continued.

“They are attempting to compete, and at the moment, Washington Sundar is leading Ravichandran Ashwin. He’s performed admirably in the few chances he’s had, and I think he will have his just desserts before helping anyone else,” he continued.

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Ashwin has played for India in 100 Test matches and taken 516 wickets. Ranked second among Indian bowlers in terms of most Test wicket-takers, he trails only Anil Kumble (619 wickets in 132 Tests). Ashwin has also accomplished this with a strike rate of 50.71 and an average of 23.75. He has five hundreds to his credit and 3309 runs at an average of 26.26 in 141 innings, demonstrating his versatility with the bat.