Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has asked if Washington Sundar's call-up to the Indian team after the Bengaluru Test means Ravichandran Ashwin is not fully fit. He said that Ashwin didn't bowl enough during New Zealand's second innings on Sunday, October 20 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, even though the pitch was offering some sort of turn.

The selectors included Sundar in the team for the Pune and Mumbai Tests soon after India lost the series opener to New Zealand by eight wickets in Bengaluru. Notably, it is not likely that an extra player is named in the squad unless another is injured.

Sundar's inclusion in the Indian team comes after his 152 for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy game against Delhi. Tamil Nadu declared on 674/6 and in reply, Delhi were bowled out for 266 and were made to follow on. At the time of writing, Delhi are 137/4.

"Washington Sundar's name has come in the team. It was slightly on unexpected lines, although he scored a century just now. He was playing for Tamil Nadu and beat up Delhi. Sai Sudharsan also beat up Delhi. He scored a double hundred and Sundar scored a century," Chopra said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

"He (Sundar) has been given a place in the team. The question that comes to mind is, what is the Indian team thinking? Do they want to play another spinner? There were already plenty of pacers in the travelling reserves. Is Ashwin not fully fit," Chopra asked.

Notably, Ashwin not being introduced into the bowling attack for the longest time on the final day even when Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were operating in tandem raised quite a few eyebrows. Chopra also pointed out this factor.

"Was it because of that he was given only two overs on the last day? He was bowled when the match was over. It just did not make sense that you don't bowl Ashwin at all. What is the logic behind that? Since you didn't bowl him, is he carrying some niggle and you want Washington Sundar as an almost like-for-like in terms of type of skill," Chopra asked.

India play the second Test against New Zealand in Pune from October 24.

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