Ravichandran Ashwin had a match to forget in the IND vs SA 1st Test. He faltered with the bat and with the ball. Taking a spot in the team in place of injured Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin failed to get any help for India in this crucial Test match series. He fumbled with the bat and managed to scalp just a solitary wicket.
Ashwin was behind Jadeja in the pecking order for the India Playing XI. But on the morning of the Test, Jadeja complained of an upper back spasm and was therefore left out of the game. Ashwin as a result got his chance in the team but failed to deliver.
Jadeja is the frontrunner all-rounder in overseas matches as Ashwin takes a back seat. But with India playing with 4 pacers, Ashwin couldn’t help with the bat. South African pitches don’t prove much assistance to spinners but Ashwin who is a good batter failed yet again.
He managed to score 8 runs in the first innings before being scalped by Kagiso Rabada. The second innings was even worse when he departed for a golden duck against Nandre Burger. In terms of bowling, No spin no party. The Proteas hammered the Indian bowlers and Ashwin was no exception to the same.
He bowled 19 overs which included 6 maidens. He gave away 41 runs and managed to scalp the only wicket of Gerald Coetzee. It is safe to understand that in the IND vs SA 2nd Test when Jadeja becomes fit, he will be the preferred player at Number 7 ahead of Ashwin.
