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Over the last few years, Ravichandran Ashwin has become an indispensable part of the Indian Test side. However, the veteran all-rounder has not represented India in the limited-overs format since June 2017.

The emergence of both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav has contributed to Ashwin being restricted to a bit-part presence in the shorter formats. Despite playing a sporadic role in the national white-ball setup, Ashwin has featured prominently in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ashwin, who made his ODI debut in 2010 against Sri Lanka, has scalped over 150 wickets from 111 games. The 34-year-old was also the first Indian to register 50 wickets in T20Is.

Even while he holds such greater significance in the Indian cricketing ecosystem, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels Ashwin will not make a comeback into the India white-ball side.

Ashwin will be Test player for next half a dozen years: Gavaskar

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels the national team will rely heavily on Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja as all-rounders for the future.

However, Gavaskar firmly believes Ashwin can play Tests for another half a dozen years.

“I somehow don’t think he will now make a comeback in the Indian limited-overs team because India have found in Hardik Pandya the all-rounder at No.7, there is Ravindra Jadeja and then they will have three seamers or maybe one spinner and two-seamers,” Sunil Gavaskar told Starsports.

“I don’t think he will fit into the squad at the moment and therefore, he will be a Test match player for the next half a dozen years at least,” he added.

Ashwin has been in scintillating form for Indian in Tests recently. Following his heroics during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the Tamil Nadu cricketer has wreaked havoc in subcontinent conditions against England as well.

Team India and Ashwin will look to build on their series-equalling triumph in Chennai when they contest the third Test against England at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad starting February 24.