R Ashwin Announces Retirement: 3 Bowlers Who Can Replace Him In Indian Team

Abhinav Tyagi

R Ashwin - (Source:@Johns/X.com)R Ashwin - (Source:@Johns/X.com)

On Wednesday, December 18, team India dealt a heavy blow as star spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from all-formats of the game. The right-arm off-spinner, who made his India debut in 2010, has finished his illustrious career with 537 Test wickets. 

Ashwin's departure has left a huge void in the Indian team and these are some big shoes to fill for a player who will replace him in the Indian team. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on three potential replacements for Ashwin in Test cricket, as he has been a great figure in the red-ball cricket. 

3 Bowlers Who Can Replace R Ashwin In Test Cricket

1.Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav has been India's No.1 choice in white-ball series for a few years now. He has also played 12 Test matches and has 54 scalps to his name. He also has four five-wicket haul in Test cricket and the Indian team are in a dire need of a wrist-spinner.

Yadav last played a Test match in March 2024 against England and Ashwin's retirement has opened the doors for the 30-year-old. It is to be seen whether the selectors are also thinking of Kuldeep in the scheme of things.

2. Washington Sundar

Sundar is also another prospect to cement his place in the Indian team. At present, he is with the squad in the BGT and also featured in the first match ahead of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Thus, it proves that the management are thinking of Sundar as a potential spin-bowling all-rounder. 

Sundar missed out the last two Tests of BGT but Ashwin's retirement has opened the doors for him as well. So far, Sundar has played six Test matches and he has scored 354 runs and also has 22 wickets to his name. 

3. Tanush Kotian

If the management and the BCCI decide to look at the talent pool in the domestic circuit then Tanush Kotian is the top-man to get a place in the Indian team and be the long-term replacement of R Ashwin. 

The 26-year-old has 101 wickets to his name in first-class cricket and and also scored 1525 runs, including 2 hundreds and 13 fifties.