R Ashwin, a former Indian cricketer, has responded to critics who have targeted mainly the bowlers following India’s defeat to England in the first Test at Leeds, where they failed to defend a 370-run total in the fourth innings.
The experienced off-spinner pointed out that while experts and commentators were quick to condemn the bowlers, little attention was paid to the hitters, who failed to produce above-average numbers on batting-friendly conditions. Despite five individual hundreds in both innings, India saw lower-order collapses and paid the price.
“Once 370 was chased down (in the first Test), I thought the commentary became a criticism of the Indian bowlers.” I felt the narrative was pointing to how Indian bowlers failed to win the match. But with a little research, many would have discovered that in England, scores are constantly chased down in the fourth innings,” Ashwin noted on his YouTube account.
“Batters should take responsibility. I know batsmen are scoring runs. Yes, there were five centurions, but where are the daddy hundreds? We have to accept that the lower order will make no contribution (with the bat). Our quick bowlers are unable to bat or score runs,” Ashwin said.
Bowlers should stress control and economy: R Ashwin
Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwin believes Indian bowlers should stress control and economy over grabbing wickets at the expense of allowing runs.
“In Tests, I believe maidens are undervalued. Ideally, I would be fine with Jasprit Bumrah aiming for a higher economy rate, but others should go lower. I watched a show where someone suggested Siraj was unlucky not to be among the wickets. I agree that he bowled brilliantly in the second innings, but with the economy rate, you can’t just let go and hope everything falls into place. “In Tests, you have to gradually improve your bowling from day one, and the rewards will come in the final innings,” Ashwin stated.
“If you give up a lot of runs in the first innings, you tend to become conservative in order to stop the flow, and this attitude will not yield wickets. If I were Morkel, I’d warn the other bowlers not to do much while Bumrah is present. As the old saying goes, bowl three maidens and you’ll get a wicket. Do you believe a wicket will fall after three maidens in a row against this English team? “Against this side, giving two runs per over is equivalent to bowling a maiden,” he explained.
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