'Consistent' R Ashwin has been one step ahead of the game: Pragyan Ojha
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has hailed Ravinchandran Ashwin’s consistency, saying he stays ahead of the game. Ashwin became the leading wicket-taker in Test matches played on Indian soil, overtaking the legendary Anil Kumble.
Ashwin went past Kumble to become the all-time leading wicket-taker in Test matches in India. He also became the first Indian to pick 100 Test wickets against two different opponents, achieving the feat against Australia and England.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Ojha said Ashwin has shown consistency throughout his glittering career, while pointing to improvisation as one of the key factors for his success. Ashwin became just the second Indian after Kumble to claim 350 home Test wickets.
“If you take wickets at home or away, if you pick these many wickets that shows the consistency of the bowler. This also shows how much you improvise your game because if you bowl in the same manner, you can’t reach the heights that he has,” said Ojha.
IND vs ENG, 4th Test Day 3: Live updates
Ojha said Ashwin has stayed a step ahead of the game and understands his game very well. Ashwin dismissed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Joe Root to break England’s back on Day 3 in Ranchi.
“He has shown consistency in every series. He also understood the game better and stayed a step ahead of the game because if you don’t do that then the opposition decodes your game. We had also said that we didn’t see the same level of performances from Ashwin. But better late than never,” Ojha added.
After being bowled out for 307 runs in the morning session on Day 3, India came out with all guns blazing in Ranchi.
Ashwin was handed the new ball by Rohit Sharma, and he repaid the faith put in him by his captain by claiming two back-to-back wickets of Duckett and Pope to go past Kumble’s home record in Tests. He then went on to dismiss Root to turn the game’s tide in India’s favour, leaving the visitors reeling at 65 for 3.
Earlier, Dhruv Jurel played agritty knock, scoring his maiden Test half-century to lead India to a fighting total in their first innings.
