After the retirement of R Ashwin, the Indian team are left with a big question in Test cricket: who can replace one of the greatest spinners in Indian cricket history?
Ashwin was much more than a bowler. He could win matches with his off-spin, score important runs, change his plans based on the conditions, and use different variations to trouble batters. Replacing such a complete player will not be easy.
India still has several off-spinners in Indian domestic cricket who could get a chance to fill that role. Some have strong First Class Cricket records, while others have already played Test cricket and know what international cricket demands.
However, there is one big concern. At the moment, no Indian domestic off-spinner has clearly shown that he can become Ashwin’s long-term replacement.
Here are five players who could be in the race.
5 Indian Off-Spinners Who Could Replace R Ashwin
Here are the five contenders who can replace R Ashwin in Test cricket.
1. Tanush Kotian
Tanush Kotian could be one of India’s most interesting long-term options. The Mumbai all-rounder has made a name for himself in domestic cricket. His biggest advantage is that he can make an impact with both bat and ball.
In 45 First Class matches, Kotian has scored 2,181 runs in 67 innings at an average of 41.15. He has a highest score of 120*, along with two centuries and 17 fifties.
With the ball, he has taken 139 wickets in 80 innings at an average of 26.75. His economy rate is 3.41. His best innings figures are 5/58, while his best match figures are 9/122.
Kotian can give India useful runs along with his off-spin. He is not just a bowler who can bat a little. His domestic record shows that he can make important contributions with the bat.
As a bowler, Kotian focuses on accuracy and consistency. He can bowl long spells and put pressure on batters. His First Class strike rate of 47 also shows that he can take wickets regularly.
The big challenge will be performing at the international level. Kotian does not yet have R Ashwin’s huge range of variations or his experience against top international batters.
Still, because of his age and all-round skills, Kotian could be one of India’s best long-term options.
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2. Saransh Jain
Saransh Jain has one of the strongest recent domestic records among India’s specialist off-spinners.
The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has played 55 First Class matches. He has scored 2,229 runs in 86 innings at an average of 31.39. He has two centuries and 14 fifties, with a highest score of 103*.
His bowling record stands out more. Jain has taken 191 wickets in 99 innings at an average of 27.75. He has an economy rate of 3.00 and a strike rate of 55.3. His best innings figures are 6/75, while his best match figures are 9/71, as per Cricinfo.
Jain’s biggest strength is his ability to bowl long spells. He can attack the stumps and put pressure on batters. His domestic record also shows that he can take wickets consistently.
He has just played Test cricket in the India vs Sri Lanka 2026 Test series. In his only Test, Jain scored six runs and took three wickets. His best innings figures are 2/69, while his match figures are 3/167.
The wicket in Colombo wasn’t that helpful for the bowlers. And he did not have much impact with both bat and ball in the game. But that experience could help him. However, one Test is not enough to judge his international career. Jain will need more opportunities to show that he can handle Test cricket.
His strong domestic record gives him a real chance, but he still needs to prove himself at the international level.
3. Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar is different from most players on this list because India already knows his ability at Test level.
Sundar has played 47 First Class matches. He has scored 2,206 runs at an average of 35.01, with three centuries and 12 fifties.
With the ball, he has taken 104 wickets at an average of 29.26. His economy rate is 3.01. His best innings figures are 7/59, while his best match figures are 11/115.
His Test record is even more encouraging.
In 18 Tests, Sundar has scored 1,244 runs at an impressive average of 44.61. He has one century and six fifties. He has also taken 41 wickets at an average of 30.34, with an economy rate of 3.25.
Sundar has already shown that he can perform in international cricket. He made an immediate impact in the home series against New Zealand. He also made useful contributions with the bat in England and showed his bowling ability.
His biggest strength is his control. Sundar can bowl economical spells, keep pressure on batters, and make them work for their runs. He can also score important runs lower down the order.
However, there is a clear difference between Sundar and Ashwin. Sundar is more of a controlled off-spinner. He does not yet have Ashwin’s wide range of variations, deception and tactical skills.
NOTE: The stats of all the players are as of August 30 2026.
4. Jalaj Saxena
If India wants experience, Jalaj Saxena is one of the strongest options available.
Saxena has played an incredible 157 First Class matches. He has scored 7,224 runs in 239 innings at an average of 33.75. He has 14 centuries and 35 fifties, with a highest score of 194.
His bowling record is even better.
Saxena has taken 512 wickets in 260 innings at an average of just 25.45. His economy rate is 2.73. His best innings figures are 9/68, while his best match figures are 16/154.
Saxena’s biggest strengths are his experience and consistency. He has spent many years playing domestic cricket and taking wickets. He also knows how to bowl long spells and build pressure.
The biggest problem is his age. That makes him a difficult choice as a long-term replacement for R Ashwin.
Saxena has been in the conversation for India before. He has continued to perform well in domestic cricket, but he has never received a long run at the international level.
His situation is similar to Abhimanyu Easwaran in some ways. Easwaran also performed consistently in domestic cricket but did not get the kind of international opportunity many expected.
Saxena could still help India as an experienced option. However, India would ideally want a younger spinner for the future.
5. Shubham Sharma
Shubham Sharma is the most different name on this list. He is mainly a batting all-rounder who can also bowl off-spin.
Sharma has played 77 First Class matches. He has scored 4,785 runs at an excellent average of 41.60. He has 12 centuries and 26 fifties.
His bowling numbers are much lower. Sharma has taken 32 wickets at an average of 38.31. His economy rate is 3.28, and his best innings figures are 5/59.
These numbers show his main role. Sharma’s biggest strength is his batting. His off-spin can give India another bowling option, but he should not currently be seen as a direct replacement for Ashwin.
His biggest advantage is team balance. If India wants more batting depth and needs an off-spinner who can bowl some useful overs, Sharma could be an option.
But if India needs a frontline spinner who can handle a major part of the bowling workload, the other names on this list have stronger claims.
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The Search for Ashwin’s Successor Has Only Just Begun
India’s biggest challenge after R Ashwin is not finding an off-spinner who can bowl a few overs.
The real challenge is finding someone who can own the position for many years.
Tanush Kotian looks like one of the best long-term options because of his all-round skills. Saransh Jain has an impressive domestic bowling record and has already played Test cricket. Washington Sundar brings international experience and good control.
Jalaj Saxena has huge domestic experience but faces questions about his age. Shubham Sharma is mainly a batting all-rounder who can provide some off-spin.
However, none of them currently offers the complete package that Ashwin gave India.
That could make the post-Ashwin period difficult for India. The country continues to produce quality spinners, but no young off-spinner has yet clearly established himself as Ashwin’s successor.
For now, the race remains open.
The next few Ranji Trophy seasons could play a major role in deciding who eventually gets the chance to take Ashwin’s old spot.
What do you think? Who will fill the gap left by R Ashwin? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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