India vs England 2024

‘He was just chasing milestone’ – Former England skipper slams Ravichandran Ashwin amid his below par performance in first two Tests against three lions

Ravichandran Ashwin stands on the cusp of a significant milestone in Test cricket, with 499 wickets to his name, just one shy of joining the elite 500 club. It is currently occupied solely by Anil Kumble among Indian bowlers. However, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen suggests that Ashwin’s pursuit of this landmark may have impacted his recent bowling performance during the Test against England.
Pietersen opines that Ashwin seemed to be “chasing milestones,” affecting the quality of his bowling.

While acknowledging Ashwin’s occasional brilliance, Pietersen recommends that the off-spinner should explore different angles and variations in his approach. He specifically suggests that Ashwin was more threatening when bowling wider outside the off-stump around the wicket, emphasising the need for adaptability in his strategies against right-handers.

“Ashwin was just chasing a milestone. That’s why he didn’t bowl as well as he could have. He did get it right on occasion. I thought he was way more threatening, bowling wider outside off-stump around the wicket. I think he bowled over the wicket way too much for the right-handers. He can change bowling over-bowling around-bowling over more,” Pietersen said.

“He will want one more wicket,” says Kevin Pietersen

Despite his observations, Pietersen acknowledges Ashwin’s prowess as a tremendous bowler and highlights that breakthroughs and success are integral to the team’s objectives rather than individual milestones. The former England star believes that once Ashwin achieves his 500th wicket, the pressure will lift, and the off-spinner will approach the game with greater relaxation.

“I’m certainly never going to say that Ravichandran Ashwin hasn’t got it or that the England bowlers have found him out. He is a tremendous bowler, and he’s had some big breakthroughs. It is about the team; it’s not about the individual. He will want one more wicket, and when he gets that, you’ll see him a lot more relaxed; the shoulder drops and I can just now get on with the game,” he added.

In the recently concluded second Test between India and England, a riveting battle unfolded between bat and ball. India emerged triumphant with a compelling 106-run victory in Vizag, showcasing their resilience and prowess. The match witnessed England’s ambitious pursuit of a challenging target of 399 runs on Day 4, employing an aggressive batting approach.

However, India’s formidable bowling attack proved too much for the English batters, resulting in their dismissal for 292. India’s spirited performance in claiming nine crucial wickets across two sessions levelled the five-match series 1-1, marking a crucial turning point in the ongoing contest. As Ashwin approaches the historic 500-wicket mark, the focus remains on team success and the collective pursuit of victory in the series.