Ravichandran Ashwin may play against South Africa

India’s ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was seen practicing with the rest of the team in the nets, which means he may feature in the playing XI for the virtual quarter-final against South Africa to be played tomorrow. Ashwin, who was sensational during India’s long home season missed out on the IPL 10 due to a sports hernia, made his comeback into the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy.

However, he has not yet got a game in the tournament so far but after India’s poor bowling performance against Sri Lanka, pundits and experts have asked to include the off-spinner in the playing XI as he can take a wicket or two in the middle overs. However, if he is picked, either all-rounder Hardik Pandya or batsman Kedar Jadhav will have to warm the bench and it will be a tough call for captain Virat Kohli.

After the game against Pakistan, when Kohli was asked how Ashwin reacted to not being a part of the playing XI, here is what he said. “Everyone knows that Ashwin is a high-class bowler and he is very professional as well. Ashwin understood the dynamics of the side that we picked in the last game and he was absolutely fine with it. He told me I support you in whatever you do and that’s always been our equation.”

Ashwin in, Jadhav out? 

In tomorrow’s do-or-die encounter, Ashwin in all probabilities will feature in the Playing XI and in tandem with Jadeja, he could form a lethal combination which can allow Kohli to attack in the middle overs and get a wicket or two. Whether or not the Tamil Nadu ace bowler will play tomorrow will be revealed only before the game starts. But if he does, Kedar Jadhav in all probability will have to sit back and watch the game from the dugout.