The former Australian captain's contention is that the veteran off-spinner all-rounder has proved himself as a "fine bowler in all conditions" and deserves a place in the team.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli once again announced at the toss that India's fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket would not be among the five best bowlers who would be playing the Oval Test against England.
Ashwin, world's best off-spinner, has been benched for three consecutive Test matches with Ravindra Jadeja being played as a "batting all-rounder".
Ashwin's last outing at The Oval came in July while playing for Surrey in the County Championship.
Ishant's figures of 22-0-92-0 were worst among the Indian pacers as England scored 432 runs but more importantly, the veteran looked jaded.
Kohli, though, said he sees no reason to change the playing XI that won the second Test against England by 151 runs at Lords last week.
Starting off with the new ball for Surrey in the second innings as well, Ashwin picked all his five wickets in just the 13 overs he bowled before lunch. He returned with figures of 5 for 23.
The 34-year-old, who is one among only three Indian spinners to take over 400 Test wickets, will be key to India's fortunes in the five-Test series against England beginning August 4.
Ashwin, who is on a break in the UK like the rest of his India teammates after WTC Final, will play domestic English games if gets his work visa in time.
For Arjuna Award, the Board will send the names of senior batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who was ignored last year, K L Rahul and pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Additionally, the Indian contingent followed the Indian woman opener Shafali Verma's exploits 100 miles away as she hit back-to-back half-centuries in the one-off Test against England in Bristol.
Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar believes there's a reason why Virat Kohli is a success on any surface and conditions, and the former Indian batsman explained how.
Despite a tally of 409 wickets in 78 appearances with 30 five-wicket hauls, Manjrekar had opined that he doesn't see Ashwin as an all-time great given his record in overseas Test.
Robinson, who made his England debut in the first Test against New Zealand, was suspended from international cricket pending an investigation after his tweets, posted when he was a teenager, resurfaced on the opening day of the match
While there has been no speculation on India's top-five batsmen as well as wicketkeeper-batsman, there were speculations on the bowling line-up India would field.
Ashwin also spoke on the country's battle with coronavirus and said that the IPL was able to put a smile on people's faces.
Ashwin withdrew after just five IPL matches, citing concern for the health of his family members who were down with the virus.
Star spinner Ashwin on Sunday decided to take a break from the ongoing IPL to support his family during the pandemic.
BJP leader Ashwin Patel celebrated his birthday with party workers in Vadodra. He also cut the cake at this moment and shared it with the party workers amid rising COVID cases.
The group also included West Indian batsman Shimron Hetmyer.
Top News
Latest News
