‘Not His Best Series…’ - Dinesh Karthik Unhappy With Ashwin’s Returns In England Tests
Ashwin bagged a five-wicket haul in Ranchi. (AP)
Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter and commentator Dinesh Karthik is of the opinion that Ravichandran Ashwin hasn't lived up to the expectations in the ongoing Test series against England in India. His remarks came after England's first innings in the ongoing fourth Test in Ranchi.
It's uncommon for Ashwin to go six innings in a home Test series without taking a five-wicket haul, but that's precisely what has happened in the series against England. Despite not being ahead in the scoreline, England have effectively thwarted Ashwin's attempts to take wickets.
To add to Ashwin's challenges, the wickets in the first three Tests were on the flatter side, making his task even more difficult. Although he managed to pick up wickets at crucial moments, he fell short of securing a five-wicket haul in the three matches so far.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik noted that India's ace off-spinner Ashwin hasn't performed at his best in this series. However, he highlighted Kuldeep Yadav's positive contributions and remarked on Ravindra Jadeja's inconsistent performance.
Karthik praised England's inexperienced spinners for their superior bowling in the ongoing Test. He also pointed out that it's unusual for Ashwin to go four matches without taking four or five wickets in Test cricket.
“The inexperienced England spinners have definitely bowled better than Indian spinners in this Test. Speaking about each spinner, Kuldeep has been a positive for India, Jadeja has not been consistent but yes, R Ashwin has definitely not had his best series in India. It’s not often that you can go four Test matches in India without an Ashwin fifer or a four-fer,” Karthik stated.
In the third innings of the Ranchi Test, Ashwin broke the streak and secured his 35th five-wicket haul, his first of the series. He surpassed the great Anil Kumble's tally of 350 Test scalps at home and achieved the milestone with his third scalp against England in the fourth Test in Ranchi. Additionally, Ashwin completed 400 Test wickets in Asia and took his 100th scalp against England.
While Ashwin only managed to pick up one wicket in England's first innings, he showed once again why he's one of the best spinners in the history of the game by bagging a five wicket haul in the third innings.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
