cricket

Updated: Aug 21, 2019 08:35 IST

Team Indian captain Virat Kohli loves to go in with five specialist bowlers in every Test match as it gives him more options for a longer time. There is no Hardik Pandya in this Test squad which leaves Kohli with a couple of optins to make his pick. He has Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin at his disposal and both these players are top-notch Test all-rounders in their own right. If we consider the performance of R Ashwin against West Indies, his numbers will enthuse will the Indian management. The off-spinner has enjoyed himself with the ball as well as with the bat against the boys from Caribbean. We take a look at his numbers as an all-rounder and they are nothing short of exemplary.

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As an all-rounder, he has the best average difference against West Indies than any other opposition.

Not only this, he also has the best average difference in West Indies than any other country as an all-rounder for more than one match played.

Overall in Test matches, he has a batting average of 29.14 and a bowling average of 25.43 - and this difference of 3.71 makes him the 5th best performer in Test history for a player with a minimum of 2000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket.

Against West Indies, his numbers are further bolstered - he has the 2nd best average difference among players with a minimum of 500 runs and 20 wickets against West Indies.

Hence, Virat Kohli could well go in five bowlers and R Ashwin could walk out at number 7 in the all-rounder’s spot in the first Test match. He combined brilliantly with Jadeja with the ball and in the past, has shown the ability to bat with the lower order which ticks another important box.