The first innings of the third Test between India and England are now being played in Mohali. When Anderson bowls the second ball of the 82nd over with India in the lead and at 256 for 6, the batsman drives through the covers for a boundary to reach his fifty-first run. The very next pitch is a straight drive that is skillfully swung down the field for another boundary.
No, we are not referring to any of India’s top-order batsmen who bat in the lower order. This time, the spinner is Ravichandran Ashwin, although the batsman is less well-known.
Ashwin has received praise ever since he became the second-fastest man in the world to reach 200 Test wickets and the fastest Indian to do so. In addition, he went on to take 27 wickets in the Test match against New Zealand in India last month, earning him the title of Player of the Series. He finished the series with a whitewash and set a new career high by taking 7 for 59 in the final Test, earning enough praise for India to triumph.
The Indian bowler Ashwin, who is now ranked No. 1 in Test matches, is reportedly on his approach to overtaking other top bowlers in the country. His recent efforts as a batsman, though, may seem to be overshadowed by his bowling prowess.
Possible right off the bat
It took Indian Cricket some time to recognize Ashwin’s batting potential. Only his most recent results at number 6 after being chosen for the promotion over other all-rounders supported the contrary. “When I was batting at No. 8, I occasionally thought like a bowler and wanted to score a few more runs. I used to play a few more shots, thus I scored my hundred at number six against the West Indies in St. Lucia earlier this year,” according to Ashwin.
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