Published: Jan 09, 2015, 02:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 09, 2015, 02:56 PM (IST)
Ravichandran Ashwin has often been criticised for not being very effective in overseas conditions. However, his recent performances present hope for a better future. Not only has Ashwin shown the ability to build pressure, but has also managed to pick a few wickets. Though the figures are not all that impressive, Nishad Pai Vaidya writes that Ashwin has made the right strides and is work in progress.
On a turning surface on Day Four at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Ravichandran Ashwin was involved in an interesting tussle with the Australian batsmen. Using the conditions well, Ashwin had them in a spot at times. However, the Australians fought fire with fire and attacked him with some exuberant strokes. Figures of four for 105 in 19 overs at close of play may make a mixed reading and perhaps rightly so. While Ashwin bowled well to get those four scalps in 19 overs, the Australians also managed to exert pressure on him with some attacking cricket.
In reality, Ashwin’s figures of four for 105 are his best on overseas soil. The off-spinner has been a dominant force at home, where he has almost single-handedly turned games for India. Overseas, he hasn’t quite been the same force as the figures would show. However, his recent spells have presented hope that he would go on to become a good spinner away from home. Though the numbers aren’t all that impressive, Ashwin has undoubtedly bowled good spells and shown more consistency over the last few games.
In England earlier this year, Ashwin had actually done decently well in the two hits he got. Though he went wicketless at Manchester, he conceded only 29 runs in his 14 overs. Then, at the Oval, he looked quite threatening during his spell of three for 72. Ashwin was creating chances and also troubling the batsmen with his variations. He has been able to carry that forward on this tour to Australia and build on it.
On the ongoing tour to Australia, Ashwin has been able to build pressure on numerous occasions. He has bowled in the tight channels and not allowed an easy flow of runs. With the fast bowlers going for runs, Ashwin kept a hold over the run-flow with some good, consistent bowling. Though he was hit around in Brisbane, he managed to get back into the game in Melbourne. That form has persisted through the Sydney Test. Even in the first innings, he was the best bowler by far despite Mohammed Shami getting more wickets.
Ashwin can take heart from Anil Kumble’s career graph. Kumble wasn’t the same force overseas for over a decade into his international career. However, during the later stages of his career, he was perhaps one of India’s most potent weapons on the overseas tracks, along with Zaheer Khan. Ashwin is gradually working his way up the ladder.
Perhaps, the Indian team would do well to revisit Ashwin’s role in the side away from home. Do they want him as a containing bowler or an attacking option? He has shown the ability to contain and attack during various points in this Australia tour. The attacking option may go for a bit, but will fetch you wickets. By containing, he may build pressure on which the seamers would have to capitalize. Ashwin is gradually getting into his own away from home. It is nevertheless work in progress.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
