“keep Root on strike”: Cheteshwar Pujara shares Ravichandran Ashwin’s strategies to Joe Root

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked interest and reflection among cricket fans as he approaches his 100th Test match for India, reflecting on his incredible career. Cheteshwar Pujara, the senior spinner’s close friend and longtime teammate, revealed some of his tactical cleverness in an exclusive column for ESPNcricinfo, adding to the admiration for the master of spin. The last Test, which starts on March 7 in Dharamsala, is between India and England.

Ashwin views attaining the 100-test mark as the pinnacle of his years of success and commitment. Still, in the midst of condolences, Pujara offered an intriguing glimpse into Ashwin’s thinking, particularly when facing a batsman of Joe Root‘s caliber.

“Based on his track record, Root has consistently demonstrated initiative as a hitter. He will attempt to play the sweep or reverse sweep, or he will try to rotate the strike to avoid taking six balls from a given bowler. Though Pujara added, “I’m not saying Root doesn’t defend well; his overall game plan is to put bowlers under pressure.”

“Root should defend,” Ash says to Cheteshwar Pujara.

Only in Vizag and Ranchi has the Englishman managed to overcome Ashwin, who has now dismissed Root seven times in Test cricket. Ashwin, who now has more than 500 Test wickets under his belt, will be hoping to surpass one of his most favored opponents.

Pujara claims that Ashwin is trying to keep the aggressive Root pinned down at the crease. In his essay, Pujara stated, “Ashwin’s tactic has been to keep Root on strike by taking out the short leg or other close-in fielders, leaving just one slip, and placing a fielder at square leg to prevent the single.”

Ash wants Root to defend those six balls and watch how he responds, whether they are playing on a turner or a flat pitch. I have witnessed Ash maintain a short third and a deep point to obstruct Root or any other hitter trying to play the reverse sweep, even on a slow pitch where the ball might not cover enough to slip. It’s a confrontation of wills between two elite players, which adds to the suspense,” he continued.

Pujara wrote, “With the loop and drift Ash can generate, you have the task of overcoming an opponent whose mission is to scramble your mind and make you commit mistakes,” in reference to the difficulties of playing Ashwin.