While pundits keep talking about India's pace battery, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is a vital cog of the much-famed Indian bowling attack. To bring statistics into play, he is the first bowler in the 143-year history of Test cricket to dismiss 200 left-handed batsmen.
And former England spinner Monty Panesar believes Ashwin could hold the key for India when they take on New Zealand in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in Southampton. The Kiwi batting line-up is studded with left-handers and it could be just the motivation the off-spinner needs to go the extra mile.
"I think New Zealand is quite a good team and Conway had a great game against England. They have got few left-handers in there so I am sure Ashwin will probably be the first-choice spinner," Panesar told ANI.
"New Zealand looks a better team than I think a lot of people thought in England and they are kind of playing like a number one team in the world. I think it is going to be a great Test match between the two sides and it's not going to be easy for India," he mentioned.
"But with the weather around and so many left-handers in the New Zealand squad, Ashwin could be the match-winner in this final. The difference is going to be Ashwin, I think Tim Southee is bowling well, he could be the difference for New Zealand," the former spinner added.
Ashwin, who recently hit a gutsy ton against England on a wicket where the world's best batsmen were struggling to get their feet in, can put New Zealand in trouble and if he isn't able to perform as he did a few months ago, the Indian pace battery might be in pressure according to Panesar.
"If Ashwin can get the left-handers out cheaply, I think New Zealand would be in trouble, if Ashwin can't then it would put more and more pressure on seamers. If he performs as he did in his country, India will be in a stronger position," Panesar said.
"We have a heatwave here and the weather is fantastic, I think the wicket will turn and India might go with two spinners. Also, Virat Kohli wants to get Ravindra Jadeja in the team," he added.
Panesar feels the concept of WTC is a great advertisement of Test cricket and the former spinner went on to term the summit clash as an encounter similar to arch-rivals India and Pakistan playing a Test match or the Ashes.
"I would like to see the match going to the fifth day, I think that would be a good advertisement for Test cricket and World Test Championship. I think it (best of three finals) can be the option as two best teams are playing against each other, it kind of has a similar effect as that of Test series between India and Pakistan or England and Australia," said Panesar.
"This could be the next series like this which the teams would be looking forward to as you don't have the home advantage here," he opined.
When asked who would have played the WTC final if the tournament was introduced prior to 2010, Panesar confidently replied, "Probably Australia and England."
Ollie Robinson was on Sunday suspended by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) from all international cricket pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation following the tweets he posted in 2012 and 2013. The former England spinner agreed with the decision of the ECB, he also floated a piece of advice for Robinson.
"ECB says cricket is for everyone, they stand against racism, they include diversity, they want people from diverse backgrounds to be involved in cricket. So the ECB didn't have any option but to suspend him.
"I think the best will be, Ollie Robinson should say something about it rather than getting a statement from ECB or Sussex. Because if it comes from him people would listen. If there will be another statement people will say 'oh yeah he is hiding behind it," Panesar signed off.
