Former Indian fast bowler Ravichandran Ashwin believes India would back Gurnoor Brar ahead of Saransh Jain in the first Test match against Sri Lanka. Jain went wicketless in both innings in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka XI whereas Brar picked up a total of three wickets.

Ashwin noted that Brar was even sent to score quick runs down the order. The lanky pacer had scalped seven wickets in three ODIs against Afghanistan while playing at home at an average of less than 20 but could not replicate the same show against England as he was taken to the cleaners.

However, Brar had impressed in the recent tour of India A to Sri Lanka as he bagged a 10-wicket haul.

Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “I feel India will play Gurnoor Brar in the 11. In the practice games, they kept sending him to bat and asked him to strike some blows. Because he can bat, he can be India’s No.8 or 9. So Brar will be the second seamer, I feel. I fear that because Saransh Jain didn’t have a great practice game, he will be judged quickly and won’t be in contention to play.”

Ashwin reckons Prasidh Krishna could miss out because batting in the lower order has been given preference by the current management.

“The final spot between these two over Prasidh Krishna is because batting in the lower order has been given importance over the last two years. But the way Saransh Jain was used in the practice game makes me feel that there’s not really a chance for him to play in the 11 in the series,” said Ashwin (via the aforementioned source).

India will face Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle from August 15.