3 Domestic players who can replace R Ashwin in India's Test squad

Published - 26 Apr 2026, 16:54 IST | Updated - 26 Apr 2026, 17:09 IST

Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket after the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar series in 2024-2025. Since his retirement, India has not found a player who can fill the void left.

Washington Sundar has been used as the off-spinner, but he has not been able to cement his place in the side. During India's last Test assignment, at home against South Africa, Sundar was outbowled by fellow off-spinner Simon Harmer. While Harmer bagged 17 wickets in two games, the Indian all-rounder could manage only one. The 26-year-old bowled 49 overs across the two Tests but failed to make an impact.

India's upcoming red-ball challenge is the one-off Test against Afghanistan, set to be played from June 6 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Many new faces are expected to be part of the side. This match could be a great opportunity for the selectors and team management to try out someone who can make a mark as an off-spinner.

Saransh Jain, 33, has been bowling brilliantly for Madhya Pradesh in red-ball cricket for the last few years. He has also made vital contributions with the bat. In the 2025-26 edition of the Ranji Trophy, the off-spinner bagged 30 wickets in seven matches at an average of 20.43. He had registered his best figures of 6/75 against Punjab in Indore.

While he is primarily a bowler, he showed tremendous improvement in the batting department in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, amassing 518 runs in 12 innings at an average of 57.55, with one century and three fifties under his belt.