India vs England 2021: Expect Nothing Less Than A Nail-biting Series Against England, Says Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has told that he expects nothing less than a nail-biting series against England and praised them to be a well-prepared team. Ravichandran Ashwin will be a key bowler to India’s success and he will be the biggest match-winner in Indian conditions. Ashwin has a phenomenal record in India and he has a great threat for the touring batsman in spin-friendly conditions.

The previous tour of India for England in a five-match test series ended in India’s favour as India smashed England  4-0 convincingly. England is coming in good form with the 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka and Joe Root was the man of the series for taking England single-handedly to victory.

Joe Root’s men will be looking to take a leaf out of the book from the 2012 tour where England managed to win the series 2-1 in India.

“England Have Always Been A Very Tough Cookie To Crack” –  Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin was in praise of the England team as he said that England has always been tough to win wherever they play. He told that England and Australia are the two teams that prepare well while coming to India and he added that they play good cricket. He wanted the Indian team to take it one session at a time, and win it accordingly. He was critical about not thinking too far ahead and focusing on the process.

“Looking forward to a cracking series. England have always been a very tough cookie to crack. Even when we go there (to England) or they come down here (India), they always play good cricket. England and Australia are probably two teams that come very well prepared here. We expect nothing less than a nail-biting series here.

“We’ve got to take it one day at a time, one session at a time, and win it. Keep ourselves in the process and not really get too ahead of ourselves,” Ravichandran Ashwin told in an interview on BCCI’s official website.

Ravichandran Ashwin Credits England’s Previous Tour

Ravichandran Ashwin credited England for their performance in their previous tour to India and told that the scoreline does not depict the real story. He explained that the 2016 tour by England to India was a great series and England played really well. He expects the same kind of voltage in the ongoing series that had started today in Chennai.

“The last Test series we played (against England) was back in 2016. That was also a great series. I thought England played really well last time. The scoreline might not suggest the real story. We (again) expect a really good England side to give a wonderful series to us,” Ravichandran Ashwin added. 

England has ended the first day at 263/3 at stumps with Joe Root still on the crease at 128 not out. A lot will depend on him tomorrow as the pitch starts to assist spin in the upcoming days.