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Salman Butt feels that Ravichandran Ashwin will play the fourth Test match. India skipper Virat Kohli had hinted during the post-match presser that there might be few changes in the bowling lineup.

He, however, has denied playing an extra batter and stated that the team is happy with playing five specialist bowlers, but their workload will be managed. It would be interesting to see the combination of bowlers India would use for the fourth Test at the Oval, which is set to begin on September 2.

Currently, India has Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Umesh Yadav in the bowling department. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja might not play the fourth Test owing to a knee injury.

However, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt feels that Ishant Sharma might not play the Oval Test because he being a bit off rhythm in the Leeds match. The cricketer-turned-expert conducted a Question-and-Answer session on his YouTube channel where one of the fans had asked if Umesh Yadav should come in place of Ishant Sharma.

“Ishant Sharma looked a bit off the boil in the last match and, his rhythm too was not good,” said Salman Butt.

However, Virat Kohli denied this fact in the press conference saying “I was busy in the field, and I was watching the batters from the slip. So how could I know whether he was off rhythm or having any niggle. I was just watching the batter from the slips and ready to the catches.”

Ravichandran Ashwin’s absence from India’s playing XI in the third Test against England was once again a subject of debate as the team went in with 4 pacers and Ravindra Jadeja as the sole spinner. Ishant Sharma picked 5 scalps bowling 56 overs across 2 Tests averaging 34.8 in the England tour.

Salman Butt: Virat Kohli May Not Drop Ishant Sharma But He May Opt To Go With 2 Spinners Including Ravichandran Ashwin

Salman Butt further opined that he was bemused by how Virat Kohli answered the question about Ishant Sharma and said as a captain he should give attention to details minutely.

“It is strange how Kohli neglected that question related to Ishant. As a captain, you must pay attention to minute details from the bowlers’ run-up to how he starts from the bowling crease whether his rhythm is okay or not. He gave this answer, ‘I don’t know since I was watching the batsman from the slips’.” Butt added.

Indian players Ishant Sharma, left, Ravichandran Ashwin, center, and Mohammed Shami — Indian players Ishant Sharma, left, Ravichandran Ashwin, centre, and Mohammed Shami

The former Pakistan batsman concluded by saying that he doesn’t think Virat Kohli might change Ishant Sharma.

“Looking at Kohli’s answer I don’t think he will drop Sharma, but if the pitch is a bit different then he might play Ravi Ashwin and go with two spinners,” Salman Butt said.

Ravichandran Ashwin has scalped 413 wickets in the 79 Tests he has played for India, at an excellent average of 24.56. The off-spinner was the second-highest wicket-taker for India and fourth overall, in the four-match Test series in Australia in 2020/21. Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 12 wickets in 3 Tests, including one four-wicket haul.

In the four-match home series against England 2021, he was the highest wicket-taker. He signed off the series with 32 scalps in 4 Tests, including 3 five-wicket hauls. He played the WTC Final which India lost but didn’t feature in any of the first 3 Tests against hosts England.