"Haven’t understood why Ravichandran Ashwin..." - Michael Vaughan takes a dig at Rohit Sharma

Former England captain Michael Vaughan took a dig at Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for underutilizing Ravichandran Ashwin with the new ball in the series. Michael Vaughan’s statement came after Ravichandran Ashwin’s impressive bowling display in the fourth Test.

Rohit Sharma started with Ravichandran Ashwin in England’s second innings in the ongoing Test match in Ranchi on Sunday, February 25. The spinner provided an early breakthrough by dismissing in-form batter Ben Duckett in the fifth over of England’s innings.

The 37-year-old bowler got rid of Ollie Pope on the next ball. Ben Duckett managed to score 15 runs off 15 deliveries with the help of boundaries, while Ollie Pope was dismissed for a golden duck. However, Zak Crawley and Joe Root steered the innings with a partnership.

Ravichandran Ashwin broke the 46-run partnership by dismissing Joe Root. Ashwin trapped Root, who had scored 11 runs, in front of the stumps. He bowled 12 overs in his first spell and claimed three crucial wickets for 48 runs on the third day of the ongoing match.

The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer came on to bowl in his second spell when England was struggling at 139/8. He claimed the remaining two wickets in England’s second innings. The visiting team was bowled out for 145 runs during the last session of the third day’s play.

Ravichandran Ashwin Hasn’t Opened The Bowling All Series – Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan expressed surprise at Rohit Sharma‘s decision not to utilize Ashwin as an opening bowler in the previous innings. Vaughan lauded Ashwin for his impressive bowling performance on day 3 of the match.

“Haven’t understood why @ashwinravi99 hasn’t opened the bowling all series for India … #INDvENG,” Vaughan wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Haven’t understood why @ashwinravi99 hasn’t opened the bowling all series for India … #INDvENG

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 25, 2024

Ashwin’s performance has been lackluster, despite featuring in every game of the series. The spinner proved costly with the ball on a few occasions. Notably, despite achieving the milestone of 500 wickets, Ashwin failed to secure a five-wicket haul in the first three matches.

Really Liked To Bowl At Him When He Was At 0 – Ravichandran Ashwin

During the third Test in Rajkot, Ravichandran Ashwin expressed disappointment for not bowling with the new ball. Ashwin stated that he would have liked to bowl against Ben Duckett early, rather than after the latter had settled at the crease.

“I would have really liked to bowl at him when he was at 0 and not at 60-70 runs. He is a very different player to bowl at when he is at 60-70 runs for sure. A couple of slog sweeps that he hit were really special. But again, Ben Duckett is a phenomenal talent for England, he has made a wonderful hundred today. I wanted to clap for Ben Duckett but I didn’t. The hardcore competitor in me did not allow me to clap, but nevertheless, come the next time, I will again try to take him on,” Ashwin said in the post-day presser.

Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin becomes first Indian bowler to achieve this massive milestone during IND vs ENG 4th Test