NEW DELHI: Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed India to resist making changes for the fourth T20I against England despite the team’s poor run of form, saying sticking with the same playing XI would send a strong message of resilience – even if it means Sanju Samson miss you again.India’s journey to England went from an opportunity to rebuild to a fight for survival. After the opening game was washed out, England won the next two games, including a crushing victory at Trent Bridge in which India were bowled out for just 76, their heaviest defeat by runs in T20I history.With another defeat in Bristol set to hand England the series, the pressure has mounted on captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir, while Samson’s absence has become one of the biggest talking points.
Ashwin backed an unchanged XI despite Samson’s calls
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said India must resist the temptation to reshuffle the side, even as the batting unit has struggled mightily.“In my opinion, the same team should play the fourth T20I as well. It is a strong decision,” Ashwin said. “If we end up on the same team, then that’s something I’m looking forward to seeing. That means Sanju will lose again, but that’s a hell of a decision.”Samson, who played a key role in India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, remained on the sidelines, with youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi getting the nod instead. After India’s batting collapse in Nottingham, many former players and fans have called for Samson’s return.However, Ashwin believes that frequent changes in the playing XI could create uncertainty within the squad.“I think in this situation, I really hope that the rest of the players don’t feel insecure. We should not put others in the same situation as Samson. The team needs to gain strength,” 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 two more games. I think there will be some fun to watch,” he added.
“This batting unit will get better with experience”
Ashwin admitted that he expected England to dominate the series due to India’s inexperienced batting lineup and the very different conditions from the IPL.“I didn’t expect the result to start the Ireland series like that. But after the first T20I, I felt that Ireland would win the series. Against England, I felt from the beginning that they would win,” he said. “Everyone knows that 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 in the young side instead of wholesale changes.“This batting unit will get better with experience. Strength is important,” Ashwin said.India now head into the fourth T20I needing a win to keep the five-match series alive. While demands for Samson’s inclusion continue to grow following India’s batting failures, Ashwin believes the bigger priority is to support the current team at a difficult stage rather than making reactive changes.