India vs England: R Ashwin should be back in the XI, says VVS Laxman | Cricket News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Ravichandran Ashwin was dropped from the playing XI in the drawn opening Test at the Trent Bridge and is likely make a comeback in the second Test at the Lord’s in place of pacer Shardul Thakur. Shardul was ruled out with a left hamstring injury, he suffered during the training session ahead of the second Test on Monday.
Former India cricketer VVS Laxman feels India skipper Virat Kohli should include Ashwin in the playing XI for the second Test.
“England’s batting was brittle as anticipated, which puts Joe Root’s efforts in perspective. The best batsman and the captain of the team, he knew how much hinged on him, but he set those pressures aside effortlessly, stamping his class in both innings. His free-stroking ways testified to his skill and mental strength, but to me, they reiterated why R Ashwin should be back in the eleven,” Laxman wrote in his column for Times of India.
“In Australia last winter, the Ashwin-Steve Smith contest was one of the defining battles. Ashwin is a crafty, immensely skillful bowler who has had success in all conditions. He will continue to pose unique challenges even on unhelpful surfaces and offers another dimension to the Indian attack. If you ask any English batsman whether he would rather face Ashwin or Shardul Thakur, who I must say bowled superbly, you know what the answer would be, given that they are brought up on a diet of pace and swing. I’d love for the offspinner to sound the war-cry at Lord’s,” he said.
The opening Test of the series ended in a draw after rain played spoilsport on the final day. India needed 157 runs to win on Day 5, with nine wickets in hand, but rain spoiled India’s chances of taking 1-0 lead. The series stands level at 0-0.
“Even accounting for the glorious uncertainties of cricket, the Nottingham Test was one that got away from India. 157 runs on the final day with nine wickets in the hand isn’t as straightforward as it sounds, especially in England where the bowlers are in the game throughout, but India were on course to register a victory in the first Test of a series in England for the first time in 35 years when the weather intervened,” Laxman said.
The result apart, India will look back on the game with tremendous satisfaction. Of particular significance were the performances by KL Rahul at the top of the batting tree, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Rahul looked organised, had an excellent idea of where his off-stump was, showed great patience in leaving balls. His driving through the offside was stunningly graceful. Having said that, there is plenty of competition for places, so Rahul will be mindful of converting good starts to three-figure knocks, just as his partner Rohit Sharma will be aware that he must get out of the recent rut of patient 30s and 40s,” he said.
“Bumrah, the best all-format bowler going, was at his very best after a below-par WTC final against New Zealand. Because he has achieved so much in so little time, he carries the burden of expectations and scrutiny, but the way he responded at Trent Bridge was spectacular,” Laxman added.
Former India cricketer VVS Laxman feels India skipper Virat Kohli should include Ashwin in the playing XI for the second Test.
“England’s batting was brittle as anticipated, which puts Joe Root’s efforts in perspective. The best batsman and the captain of the team, he knew how much hinged on him, but he set those pressures aside effortlessly, stamping his class in both innings. His free-stroking ways testified to his skill and mental strength, but to me, they reiterated why R Ashwin should be back in the eleven,” Laxman wrote in his column for Times of India.
“In Australia last winter, the Ashwin-Steve Smith contest was one of the defining battles. Ashwin is a crafty, immensely skillful bowler who has had success in all conditions. He will continue to pose unique challenges even on unhelpful surfaces and offers another dimension to the Indian attack. If you ask any English batsman whether he would rather face Ashwin or Shardul Thakur, who I must say bowled superbly, you know what the answer would be, given that they are brought up on a diet of pace and swing. I’d love for the offspinner to sound the war-cry at Lord’s,” he said.
The opening Test of the series ended in a draw after rain played spoilsport on the final day. India needed 157 runs to win on Day 5, with nine wickets in hand, but rain spoiled India’s chances of taking 1-0 lead. The series stands level at 0-0.
“Even accounting for the glorious uncertainties of cricket, the Nottingham Test was one that got away from India. 157 runs on the final day with nine wickets in the hand isn’t as straightforward as it sounds, especially in England where the bowlers are in the game throughout, but India were on course to register a victory in the first Test of a series in England for the first time in 35 years when the weather intervened,” Laxman said.
The result apart, India will look back on the game with tremendous satisfaction. Of particular significance were the performances by KL Rahul at the top of the batting tree, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Rahul looked organised, had an excellent idea of where his off-stump was, showed great patience in leaving balls. His driving through the offside was stunningly graceful. Having said that, there is plenty of competition for places, so Rahul will be mindful of converting good starts to three-figure knocks, just as his partner Rohit Sharma will be aware that he must get out of the recent rut of patient 30s and 40s,” he said.
“Bumrah, the best all-format bowler going, was at his very best after a below-par WTC final against New Zealand. Because he has achieved so much in so little time, he carries the burden of expectations and scrutiny, but the way he responded at Trent Bridge was spectacular,” Laxman added.
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