Ravichandran Ashwin Answers Cheekily To A Fan On How To Counter Gutsy Tailenders

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has remained in the national team’s scheme of things since nearly a decade now. Having made his Test debut in 2011, Ravichandran Ashwin has destroyed quite a lot of overseas teams and been a part of some crushing victories. However, countering tailenders has been one of India’s significant hurdles, which Ashwin has wittily answered.

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During a question and answer session on Twitter, a fan asked Ravichandran Ashwin the significant factor responsible for teams not being able to clean up the tail quickly. He also asked how the outfits can improve on the same. It is quite a valid question since India, of all the top-notch teams, have faced the issue, being unable to wipe the tail with ease.

One of those instances came during India’s tour of England in 2018. Apart from giving England vital breakthroughs with the ball, Sam Curran performed rescue missions with the bat as well. Curran ended the series with 11 wickets and 272 runs in four Tests with two half-centuries, averaging a healthy 38.86. His innings at crucial junctures cost the tourists two Test matches and eventually lost the five-match rubber by 4-1.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s reply to the question:

The 33-year old responded to the fan’s question by comically saying that tailenders must bat like tailenders for starters. On a serious note, the 71-Test veteran admitted that times have changed now where even bowlers’ ability with the bat has increased. Ashwin himself, who began his career as a bowler, is a reputed batsman now with 2389 Test runs and four centuries. With 365 wickets, he remains in line to become the most successful off-spinner for India.

The tail needs to start batting like a tail for starters. Times have changed and no body is a walking wicket now. #<!---->r<!---->e<!---->m<!---->i<!---->n<!---->i<!---->s<!---->c<!---->e<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->h<!---->a<!---->s<!---->h h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->n<!---->7<!---->B<!---->T<!---->p<!---->p<!---->7<!---->X<!---->7<!---->n

— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0