Published: Jun 14, 2015, 07:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 14, 2015, 07:03 PM (IST)
Indian spinners were up to the challenge as they shared eight wickets among them, against Bangladesh in the one-off Test at Fatullah, which has spurred hopes of strong performances in future. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh has a crucial role to play in the next couple of months, says Devarchit Varma.
The saying goes that bowlers hunt in packs and India will be served well with two of the best spinners currently in the country — Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh — are retained in the playing eleven. With a string of series lined up for India in the next couple of months, such as the tour of Sri Lanka and South Africa visiting coming over for a four-Test series, it is important for India to stick with the same bowling combination as there are no better options than these two. Dhawan, Vijay and other opening pairs scoring 150+ for a team in the same Test innings
With the one-off Test ending in a disappointing draw, both India and Bangladesh have a lot to take away. While Bangladesh would have to concentrate on their all-round show in Test cricket, India will have to see what worked for them in this Test, and the eight wickets that Ashwin and Harbhajan shared in Bangladesh’s first innings is a strong sign that they must be given a longer run together. Virat Kohli must be innovative in one-off Bangladesh Test
Ashwin would be pleased with his five-wicket haul, after all he has been working really hard on his games and the results have started to fall in place for him. Ashwin bowled really well, troubling the left-handers and right-handers alike. He got the ball turn away sharply from the batsmen, and also created many opportunities for wickets. The right-arm spinner looked comfortable bowling with the new ball as well, which certainly should please the Indian cricket team management, as they gear up for the tougher challenges that lie in the Sri Lanka tour and in the four home Tests versus South Africa. Virat Kohli’s selections so far have been like playing with fire
On the other hand, Harbhajan bagged only three wickets in his first Test in last two years, but the venerable cricketer should be happy with his effort. On many occasions, Harbhajan was able to beat the batsmen outside the off-stump, and even foxed them with the right mix of pace. Unlike Ashwin, Harbhajan did not get much turn, but it is just a matter of confidence. If the senior spinner gets more opportunities in Test cricket in future, he is surely going to see his confidence rising. Rahane deserves praise for his selfless approach against Bangladesh in one-off Test
From the team’s perspective, in this one-off Test as well as in the upcoming assignment, it will not be a bad investment if these two are given a go together. Both Ashwin and Harbhajan have different skill sets and it would be daft comparing them, but it is a fact that spinners are likely to perform much better than the fast bowlers in the subcontinents’ flat decks that support them well. Test cricket points system needs ICC’s revision
It is also a fact that Harbhajan’s performances are high when he has a strong support from the other end. After Anil Kumble’s retirement, the bowler went through a tough time and was thus dropped as a result. Now with Ashwin having settled down well in the rigours of international cricket and having the ability to carry the burden of spin attack all alone in his shoulders, Harbhajan would certainly get enough freedom and room to do what he does the best. Murali Vijay rapidly turning into India’s most dependable batsman
For captain Virat Kohli and this young Indian team, aggression is going to be a very crucial trait, and both Harbhajan and Ashwin bring the necessary flavour on the table. It is all about the team showing a little more confidence in these two as a bowling unit, and giving them ample amount of chances. Shikhar Dhawan & Murali Vijay 6th Indian opening pair to score more than 1,000 runs in Test cricket
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
