Why Ravichandran Ashwin has a massive point to prove Down Under

Tags: India, Ravichandran Ashwin

Published on: Dec 17, 2014

In the wake of leggie Karn Sharma's poor debut in Adelaide, it was almost certain that Ravichandran Ashwin would play at Brisbane, which has turned out to be the case. At the same time, the fact that he wasn't chosen

In the wake of leggie Karn Sharma's poor debut in Adelaide, it was almost certain that Ravichandran Ashwin would play at Brisbane, which has turned out to be the case. At the same time, the fact that he wasn't chosen in the playing eleven for the first Test indicates towards the fact that the Indian management is not hundred percent sure about what to expect from the experienced off spinner, when it comes to away conditions. Remember, Ashwin had to sit out of the first couple of Tests in England as well, with Ravindra Jadeja being preferred as the better option. By the time he came back, the series was almost out of India's grasp, and he couldn't do much to change the team's fortunes.

In the wake of his frequent exclusions in away games recently, Ashwin now has a big point to prove in Australia. There is no denying that he has impressive stats in Test cricket, but those have been built on stellar performances at home. He has not played a match-winning role in even one Test away from home. This is a highly worrying aspect for Ashwin has now been part of two England tours, has visited South Africa, and this is now his second tour of Australia. It is about time he starts performing for he is, after all, India's lead spinner across formats, and has been so for a few years now. If he doesn't deliver in Brisbane, question marks will be raised again over his overall ability.

Over the last couple of decades, India's spinners have struggled when it has come to succeeding away from home. Anil Kumble too had a poor record in overseas Tests, but towards the end of his career, he became a match-winner even in challenging conditions for spinners. Harbhajan Singh too tasted success abroad, albeit briefly, while he was at his peak. A few decades back, India's famous spin quartet picked up wickets in a heap in places like Australia, England and New Zealand. So it isn't the case that spinners do not have a role to play in Tests where fast bowlers are expected to dominate. Slow bowlers, who are good enough, have the ability to claim wickets even when the pitches may not always be to their liking.

Take the example of Australia's Nathan Lyon. The off spinner was not expected by anyone to run through the Indians, but he did and how. Yes, the ball was turning and jumping, but those weren't conditions alien to Indian players. In fact, they are born and brought up on such kind of surfaces. Yet, they struggled to stand up to the challenge. It was a demonstration of how playing spin could be made difficult for good players of slow bowling if the bowlers are aware of how to deliver. On the same pitch where Indian spinners managed only five wickets, Lyon alone grabbed 12. He made the ball jump and talk, quite literally, and the Indians, with all their expertise against spin were clueless.

Keeping away his earlier failures, it is imperative for Ashwin to lead the spin bowling attack at Brisbane. His role shouldn't be just about keeping the runs down, which he is adept at, but he must look to take wickets as well. One of the key reasons why Ashwin hasn't been able to taste success away from home is because he depends too much on help from the surface. He needs to figure a way out wherein in he can beat batsman in the air, and lure them into false shots. So far, he hasn't shown that ability, but it is imperative that he learns the skill if he wants to do well away from home. If he fails again, Ashwin won't be rated highly as a spinner by opponents.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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