India vs England 2021: Ravichandran Ashwin's Wicket Taking Ability Is Taken For Granted, Says Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar had said that Indian premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s wicket-taking ability in Tests has been taken for granted. Ravichandran Ashwin picked up his second five-wicket haul in the series as he finished with figures of five for 43 in the first innings of the second Test against England. It was his 29th five-wicket haul in Tests overall and he has been outstanding so far.

In the process of running through the England side, he went past Harbhajan Singh’s record of 265 wickets at home to become the second-highest wicket-taker at Tests in India.

Anil Kumble is the only spinner with more wickets than Ashwin at-home Tests and his brilliant effort has led to England getting bundled out for 134 in the first innings. Ashwin deserves a lot of credit for being the prolific wicket-taker he is and for being a match-winner.

Sanjay Manjrekar Lauds Ashwin’s Brilliance

Sanjay Manjrekar told on a chat with ESPN Cricinfo that Ashwin has to be rewarded for his efforts at home. He told that Ashwin’s wicket-taking ability in Tests has been taken for granted and he mentioned that it must be put in the right place for him to keep contributing.

Sanjay Manjrekar credited Ashwin for taking wickets in many different conditions, varying his pace, changing his actions, and using ‘flight’ to dismiss batsmen and not just relying on bowling on the rough.

“There are some things of Ravichandran Ashwin that we take for granted. We take for granted that he will pick up wickets and run through sides. He’s been doing that for a number of years,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo.

“Sometimes you just sought of expected him (Kumble) to get wickets and run through sides and he did that virtually every game that he played for India in India. Same is the case with Ravichandran Ashwin.

“But there is more to Ashwin than bowling in just one area quickly at 90 km/hr and getting the wickets and letting the pitch do all the work for you. Ashwin also does occasionally beat batsman with guile as we saw with Ben Stokes.”

“The ball did pitch in the rough and we saw the assistance induced with his trick in the way he released and the angle he created and the length as well. There is more to Ashwin than just pitching the ball in the one area and the wicket coming because the pitches are more conducive to spin in India,” he added.

India In Total Control At Chennai

India finished day 2 at 53 for 1 with Rohit (25*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (7*) at the crease in the second innings of the second test. 15 wickets fell on the second day but the day belonged to the Indian team with a 248 run lead over England in a tough pitch to bat.

Rohit’s 162 in the first innings stood out as the difference between the two teams and he in fact showed the way the other batsman had to play on the wicket.

A lot of work to be done for the England team on the third day with India in the driver’s seat.