Monty Panesar Feels Ravichandran Ashwin Holds The Key For India

Former England spinner Monty Panesar feels that India’s premier spinner — Ravichandran Ashwin, who had a great outing in the recent tour of Australia holds the key to India’s success. R Ashwin played a vital role in India’s winning campaign and India will be hoping that he stays lethal without his bowing partner Ravindra Jadeja, who is out with injury. Ashwin has a tremendous record in home Test series for India.

Monty Panesar was one of the leading spinners for England during his tour to India in 2012. He managed to take 17 wickets in the series at an average of 26.82. He formed a great bowling partnership with Graeme Swann making the Indians difficult to survive on the turning tracks in India.

Overall, Monty Panesar has featured in 50 Tests, 26 ODIs and one T20I for England and the 38-year-old was mostly in the radar to be selected in the team.

Panesar Feels Ashwin Is In Prime Form

Monty Panesar mentioned the form of Ravichandran Ashwin being really good in Australia and also made a good point that if England manage to play Ashwin well, then there might be a chance for England to win.

Panesar also told about the part of the second spinner in the team is crucial, while Ravindra Jadeja, who was the second spinner for India until the last series had been ruled out of the first two tests. Jadeja offers a lot with his three-dimensional ability and Axar Patel may get the nod in place of Jadeja.

“Ashwin had a great tour of Australia and will come into the seris with tons of confidence. How England play Ashwin will decide the outcome of the series. Ashwin has become smarter the way he has bowled in recent times and is in prime form,” Monty Panesar told TOI.

“Jadeja will be missed. The second spinner will be crucial for India as Ashwin will need support from the other end to put England under pressure. They have named Axar Patel in the squad but I do believe that Jadeja adds a different dimension to the Indian team,” he added.

Panesar Shares His Ideas About Bowling In India

Monty Panesar made an important point that if England manages to win a Test at Chennai, then the confidence will pop up the team for rest of the series. He also told about having in and outfield in India with close in-fielder as well as fielders in the deep. He wants England bowlers to reduce the scoring opportunities for the Indian batsmen which will make them take risks.

“If they manage to win a game in Chennai, they will get a lot fo confidence for the rest of the series. I expect England to put in a good fight against a strong Indian side.

“If England are to have a chance of winning this series, Root will have to bat weel. He needs to bat for long periods of time just like Alastair Cook during the 2012 -13 Series. He has been brilliant in Srilanka and I do hope Root continues batting in the same way against India,” Monty Panesar stated.

The first test will also be an important milestone for the England captain Joe Root, who will be playing his 100th Test.