In his recent YouTube video, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin delved into the intricacies of the first two Test matches between India and England held in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. Reflecting on the series opener, India stumbled against England’s aggressive playstyle, leading to a surprising 28-run defeat.
Notably, England’s utilization of the reverse sweep unsettled India’s bowling lineup, forcing the spinners to adapt their strategies for subsequent matches. Ashwin also noted certain comments from English players, hinting at their overconfidence.
Discussing James Anderson’s remarks during a press conference after England’s victory in the first Test, Ashwin highlighted the optimism displayed by the English side. However, he expressed reservations about their exaggerated confidence, particularly Anderson’s assertion that they could chase down even a target of 500-600 runs within 60 overs.
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“In the Vizag Test, the first two innings were the same as the first Test. We should have scored 500+, but we underscored with 300-odd in the first innings. As usual, they were on their aggressive route, with (Zak) Crawley and (Ben) Duckett,” explained Ravichandran Ashwin.
Furthermore, Ravichandran Ashwin characterized Bazball, England’s aggressive approach, as “defenceless cricket.” He observed a distinct lack of defensive shots, with players adopting a mindset of risking dismissal if they played defensively. Even Joe Root, renowned for his defensive prowess against spin, embraced this aggressive approach, according to Ashwin.
In the subsequent matches, India made significant adjustments, culminating in a resounding victory in the fifth Test at Dharamsala. This win secured a 4-1 series triumph, largely attributed to India’s spinners, who claimed 18 of the 20 English wickets.
Throughout the series, Ravichandran Ashwin achieved several personal milestones. In the third Test at Rajkot, he reached the milestone of 500 Test wickets, becoming only the second Indian bowler to do so. Additionally, in the final Test, he earned his 100th Test cap and delivered a stellar performance, capturing nine wickets, including a crucial five-wicket haul in the second innings.
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Looking ahead, Ravichandran Ashwin is set to participate in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), representing the Rajasthan Royals. His insights and contributions during the Test series against England have undoubtedly bolstered his reputation as one of India’s premier spin bowlers.
