“If you have to counter-attack such bowlers, you don’t give them wickets” – Pragyan Ojha on Ravichandran Ashwin’s spell in 2nd innings

Former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha reckons Ravichandran Ashwin is a different bowler when he gets an early wicket. While Ashwin surprisingly went wicketless in the first innings of the second Test match, he bagged three scalps in the second dig.

Ojha advised England not to give Ashwin any wickets even if they are looking to counter-attack him. The veteran off-spinner was able to dismiss England opener Ben Duckett on the third day’s play when the left-hander tried to play a reverse sweep but ended up ballooning the ball to KS Bharat.

Ashwin then accounted for Hyderabad’s hero Ollie Pope with Rohit Sharma taking a sharp catch at first slip. Furthermore, the wily off-spinner got rid of England’s premier batter Joe Root when the veteran tried to play a big slog on the leg side.

Speaking to Colors Cineplex, Pragyan Ojha said, “He was bowling in the same areas. He just changed his pace. His ball dips when he reduces his pace slightly. That is extremely important. I have been repeatedly saying that the key for Ashwin is that if he gets an early wicket, he doesn’t rush.”

“If a bowler doesn’t rush and takes his time and carries so much experience with him, he becomes extremely lethal. If you have to counter-attack such bowlers, you don’t give them wickets, you don’t attack them,” the former India spinner added.

Ojha feels bowlers like Ashwin gain confidence if they get early wickets and they are more settled at the crease.

“If such bowlers get wickets, they are settled. They know they have got what they need in the last column and can carry their game plan forward at ease, and that they don’t have to go at 5G speed.”

“As soon as he got a wicket, he was at ease. If you had seen his body language closely in the first innings, it was like nothing was happening, and that what should he do to make an impact on the game,” Ojha stated.

Ashwin is now one wicket away from reaching the milestone of 500 Test wickets. The third Test match between India and England will be played at Rajkot from 15th February onwards.