Ian Chappell Explains The Reason Behind Ravichandran Ashwin's Fine Show In Australia

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has lavished praise on Ravichandran Ashwin for the India ace’s improved display in the ongoing Test series against Australia. For years, Ravichandran Ashwin has faced criticism for failing to deliver in overseas conditions. But the off-spinner has proved his worth in the ongoing series with some scintillating displays.

At present, he is the joint-highest wicket-taker along with Pat Cummins. The spinner has picked up 10 wickets so far including dismissing Steve Smith cheaply twice. In the Adelaide Test, Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Smith for 1 before sending him for a duck in the first innings of the second Test at the MCG.

With Ravichandran Ashwin putting up a fine show in Australia so far, Ian Chappell was asked what the spinner has done differently this time around, that has led to his success. In reply, Chappell said that Ravichandran Ashwin has shown the willingness to learn from each of his previous tours and put in the effort to perform better in subsequent visits.

“He is a smart cricketer. It is the third or fourth time he has been here. The important thing is he has got better each time he has come here. He had a horror tour as the first one and he has worked on things to get better. And then he has worked on more things to get better on this tour,” Ian Chappell said.

“That’s what happens with good cricketers, they work out what they have got to do to be better. So, I can take my hat off to him. He has worked very hard to be better,” added Chappell

Ian Chappell highlighted Ravichandran Ashwin has outwitted the Australian batsmen despite bowling an unconventional line for an off-spinner.

“He has been bowling what I would class as an unusual line to have success as an off-spinner. But he has obviously seen something with the Australians and he is bowling a lot straighter to the right-handers than I would suggest. He seems to be bowling more a middle-stump line and that has created problems for the Australians,” said Chappell.

Meanwhile, the ongoing four-match series is currently locked at 1-1. The third Test of the series is scheduled to be played from January 7 at the SCG.​

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