Ravichandran Ashwin may be a bit inconvenient for India after he was dropped from the playing XI for the first two Tests of the five-Test series against England. Skipper Virat Kohli’s side went with four fast bowlers in the first two Tests and Ravindra Jadeja as the sole spinner. After winning the second Test by 151 runs, the tourists took a 1-0 lead in the series. The position of Ashwin’s winning combination as a spinner in the third Test is even more difficult because the next Test is now scheduled to be played at Leeds Headingley Cricket Ground.
Apart from the Test series against England, India captain Virat Kohli is set for this ‘mission’.
Meanwhile, cricketer-commentator Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has expressed regret that Ashwin has been ruled out of the XI for the first two Tests. At the same time, however, he felt it was difficult to tinker with the team’s winning combination. The third Test between India and England will be played at Leeds Headingley Cricket Ground from 25 August.
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In a virtual conversation hosted by Sony Sports, former leg spinner Sivaramakrishnan said, “I am really sorry for Ashwin because it is very difficult to be in that position and to be out of the team and digest him. But I think he understands it well. I am sure Ashwin understands what it takes to get into the squad, we have a lot more cricket to play and we will play a lot of matches in India too, so I think Ashwin will definitely be part of the team when he decides to go with two spinners.
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Shivaramakrishnan, who played 9 Tests and 16 ODIs for India, took 41 wickets in his international career. He explained why Jadeja currently leaves Ashwin and replaces the only spin bowling all-rounder on the team. “Jadeja has improved in the batting department in recent times and he is also a fantastic fielder. When you bowl in England conditions where you don’t turn the ball over, he is the spin-bowling all-rounder. Both Ashwin and Jadeja are spin all-rounders. Ashwin is an aggressive bowler who likes to bowl on the wicket.
