Former India spinner R Ashwin believes Washington Sundar didn’t bowl many exceptional deliveries in his four-wicket haul on Day 4 of the Lord’s Test against England. He added that the reason behind Sundar’s success was using the pitch and the conditions to his advantage as well. However, he claimed the wickets of Joe Root, Ben Stokes,
Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir, finishing with figures of 12.1-2-22-4 as well.

R Ashwin said in the latest YouTube video of his channel, ‘Ash ki Baat’: “We must praise Washington Sundar’s spell. Actually, he didn’t bowl many good balls, but he did one amazing thing. He was bowling with the slope running towards the off side. He knew that the ball would not spin much, and it would run with the slope. What Washi did really well was to keep the ball on the stumps. He let the slope do the job. The odd ball was spinning or keeping low, and it was also skidding at times. He used the pitch really well.”

However, R Ashwin added that England skipper Ben Stokes and veteran batter Joe Root should have shown more intent while batting together as well. They took 128 balls in their 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The former India spinner also stated that England would have been in a commanding position had Stokes and Root played aggressive cricket as well.

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“I just felt that the partnership between Ben Stokes and Joe Root, especially after Tea, they could have played with a little more intent. At 159/5, England were really ahead in the game,” he said.

R Ashwin also said that England’s ace speedster Jofra Archer didn’t seem that he was completely ready for a Test return.

“I am very sorry to say that Jofra Archer, he is not prepared for a Test match. He bowled a good first spell in the first innings, but England do need Jofra Archer to turn up on Day 5. At 58/4, there are only two England bowlers that are bowling really well. They are Ben Stokes and, luckily, Brydon Carse has found the right length. Otherwise, this England bowling attack is looking absolutely pedestrian. England are favorites to win this Test match, at this point in time. It is a big prediction. I think England are favorites to win this Test match, but the two people who have a chance to change this game are KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant,” R Ashwin concluded.