SA vs IND 2018, 2nd Test: Ashwin Needs to be More Thoughtful While Batting - Sunil Gavaskar

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar wants all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin to be more thoughtful while batting. Gavaskar further noted that he would have liked Ashwin to put a price on his wicket while batting in Centurion. Notably, Ashwin was engaged in a 71-run partnership with Virat Kohli for the seventh wicket in the first wicket.

Ashwin played some delightful strokes scoring 38 runs off just 54 balls helping India inching closer to South Africa’s first innings total.

“Kohli’s splendid century kept India in the game as they closed in on the South African total. It was as good a Test century that one could hope to see. It had everything, technique, temperament, solid defence, and exquisite strokes. If only Ashwin, who batted so well, hadn’t had a rush of blood and wafted at the first over of the second new ball, India could well have taken the lead,” Gavaskar stated.

Gavaskar further wants Ashwin to analyse his batting and put in a fraction of dedication what he gives to his bowling.

“Ashwin puts so much thought into his bowling trying to be better than the previous day. If he puts a fraction of that in his batting, he would score more heavily more often. If he starts analyzing his dismissals, he will realize that it’s he who has got himself out and the bowler hasn’t deceived him,” Gavaskar stated further.

Gavaskar also regretted Hardik Pandya’s wicket who did a schoolboy error to get himself run out. Pandya was crucial for India along with Kohli to surpass the score set by South Africa in the first dig.

“India had started Day Three well, with Kohli and Pandya showing great resolve. But Pandya’s run out gave South Africa a bonus wicket. Not dragging the bat in the crease or not shouting loudly when two fielders are circling underneath a skier is something that shouldn’t be seen at the international level, but with the Indian team it’s a regular feature,” Gavaskar wrote on his column.

He is further of the opinion that it has a lot to do with the cricketing upbringing that youngsters get.

India was reduced to 35 for three while chasing a record target 287 standing on the verge of a series defeat on day five. Despite their back against the wall, Gavaskar admits India need to be confident about winning the match and back their strength of batting.

“India must believe they can win this game. Chasing won’t be easy at all, but like their captain, if the Indian players believe they can do it, then they certainly can. It’s been attritional cricket so far, but that’s simply due to the pitch, which has not allowed the bat to dominate nor the ball to rule,” he concluded.

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