NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed India to resist making 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 Sanju Samson misses out once again.India’s tour of England has gone from a rebuilding opportunity to a fight for survival. After the opening match was washed out, England have won the next two games, 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 unchanged XI despite Samson calls
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said India should resist the temptation to reshuffle the side, even though the batting unit has struggled badly.“In my opinion, the same team should play in the fourth T20I too. It will be a strong decision,” Ashwin said. “If we field the same team, then that is something that I will really, really look forward to watching. That will mean Sanju will miss out again, but that will be one hell of a decision.”Samson, who played a key role in India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, has remained on the sidelines, with youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi getting the nod instead. Following India’s batting collapse in Nottingham, many former players and fans have called for Samson’s return.However, Ashwin believes constantly changing the playing XI could create insecurity within the squad.“I think in this situation, I really hope the rest of the players do not feel insecure. We should not put others in a similar situation like Samson. The team should get stability,” he said.“I hope they will return to form, but I really doubt it. Like I said during the Ireland series, I really doubted a stunning comeback. I really doubt a comeback here in England too. There are still a couple more games. I think there will be some fun to watch,” he added.
‘This batting unit will get better with experience’
Ashwin admitted he had expected England to dominate the series because of India’s inexperienced batting lineup and the vastly different conditions from the IPL.“I didn’t expect such a result at the start of the Ireland series. But after the first T20I, I felt Ireland could win the series. Against England, I felt from the beginning that they would win,” he said. “Everyone knows India’s batting unit is young. IPL conditions are different. If there is something on the wicket and the conditions are different, India’s batting line-up will struggle.”Despite his concerns, the veteran spinner urged patience with the young side rather than wholesale changes.“This batting unit will get better with experience. Stability is important,” Ashwin said.India now head into the fourth T20I needing a victory to keep the five-match series alive. While demands for Samson’s inclusion continue to grow after India’s batting failures, Ashwin believes the bigger priority is backing the current group through a difficult phase rather than making reactive changes.
