12 wickets in 7 innings at an average of 38.83, 116 runs at an average of 19.33: Ravichandran Ashwin hasn’t done much with either bat or the ball in IND vs ENG Test series so far. While the question of whether it’s time to look beyond Ashwin maybe a little ahead of its time, the member of 500 Test wickets certainly doesn’t look at his best right now to lead India’s spin attack. And that Rohit Sharma bowled Kuldeep Yadav for just 12 overs in the first innings raises questions.
That Ashwin doesn’t even have a four-fer in the series so far is the biggest mystery when a rookie Tom Hartley has already bagged a seven-fer.
Ashwin in IND vs ENG series
1st Test: 3/68 & 3/126, 1 & 28
2nd Test: 0/61 & 3/72, 20 & 29
3rd Test: 1/37, 1/19, 37
4th Test: 1/83 & 1
In the first innings of IND vs ENG Ranchi Test, Ashwin could only manage a wicket and a solitary maiden over despite bowling 22 overs.
No rank turner, no party
On pitches that have offered assistance to spinners from Day 1, Ashwin has bossed over. However, he has not found success on pitches that have been flatter or traditional Indian pitches.
Border Gavaskar Trophy was a great example. Ashwin bagged 25 wickets when batters found it tough to even get going. There was over 4 degrees of turn on average.
However, on pitches with less turn, Ashwin has struggled.
Bazball voodoo
What has been interesting is an aggressive style of play has worked against Ashwin. The great Indian spinner never left an opportunity to praise England’s Bazball or an aggressive brand of cricket.
He has found the new way exciting like many cricket fans around the world. However, has he paid too much respect to England’s approach?
Ahead of his 100th Test match, for the first time, Ashwin has a series economy rate of 4.05. Never in his career that he let that many runs slip.
Ashwin’s highest economy in a series was back in 2014-15 series in Australia when he conceded at 3.40. But so far, Ashwin in IND vs ENG Test series, has conceded 466 runs in 7 innings.
“Ashwin definitely hasn’t had the best series in India. It’s not very often that you go without an Ashwin fifer after four matches. That tells you that he hasn’t had the rhythm or at his best,” Dinesh Karthik, Ashwin’s staunch supporter, claimed on Cricbuzz.
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Time for Washington Sundar?
For a long time, Washington Sundar has been dubbed as the natural successor to Ashwin in Test cricket. While the young Tamil Nadu player does not possess the bowling skillset that Ashwin has, he certainly has the batting abilities.
But with Ashwin struggling, why not give a chance to Sundar to shine. He will have the mentorship of Ashwin during the transition and that could do well for him in the longer run.
Already 37 and in the twilight of his career, Ashwin does not have long. He may not even feature in the WTC Final 2025 should India qualify. And that could be an opportunity for India Cricket Team to use Ashwin’s guidance for young spinners.
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