India vs Sri Lanka 2017, 1st Test, Day 2: 5 things we learnt from the day

#3 Is Ashwin at 6 the way to go in preparation for South Africa?

Ashwin looks a competent batsman but at six is he good enough?

India in the Kohli reign so far has opted to play five bowlers more often than not. While it allows the skipper to exhibit better control in rotating his bowlers, it shortens the batting line-up considerably but in India, they have gotten away with playing Ashwin at 6 and Saha at 7. But with overseas tours coming up, it does not seem a sound strategy.

In testing, seaming conditions like at the Eden, an additional batsman might be the way to go and this theory gained further backing when Ashwin played out 27 dot balls, put away a full toss for four, and was dismissed, edging Shanaka to gully with 4 off 29 balls.