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‘R Ashwin Was Chasing Milestone…’ : Pietersen Accuses Spinner After IND vs ENG 2nd Test

image-lsbjekdlRavichandran Ashwin has taken 9 wickets across two Tests this series (BCCI)

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen believes Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was playing for his milestone in the recently-concluded second Test match at Vizag.

Ashwin, who took field at the venue with 496 Test wickets to his name, added three more to his tally during his match-winning spell on Day 4. Notably, the legendary Indian all-rounder seemingly trapped Tom Hartley to seize his 500th victim, however, the decision was later overturned via a DRS call.

Pietersen believes Ashwin chasing 500-wicket milestone

Kevin Pietersen believes Ravichandran Ashwin was not performing at his best in Vizag as the Indian spinner was too focused about reaching his personal milestone of 500 wickets. While speaking on Jio Cinema, the former England captain said:

“Ashwin was just chasing milestone. That's why he didn't bowl as well as he could have bowled. He did get it right on occasion. I thought he was way more threatening bowling wider outside off-stump round the wicket.”

Pietersen also praised Ashwin and the English legend believes that the Indian cricketer will be more relaxed once he gets his milestone scalp. He added:

“He is a tremendous bowler and he's got some big breakthroughs. He will want one more wicket and when he gets that maybe you'll see him a lot more relaxed, the shoulder drops and I can just now get on with the game.”

Ravichandran Ashwin went wicketless during the first English innings on Day 2. However, the visitors still fell 143 runs short of India’s first innings courtesy of Jasprit Bumrah’s six-fer and Kuldeep Yadav’s timely breakthroughs.

While defending 399 to level the series, Ashwin picked up the key scalps of Ben Duckett, in-form Ollie Pope and legendary English batsman Joe Root to headline India’s emphatic 106-run win.

The Indian spinner will now turn up for his side in the third Test of the series at Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The match will be staged between February 15 and February 19.