After India lost to England in the first Test match at Leeds, where they were unable to defend a 370-run total in the fourth innings, former Indian cricketer R Ashwin retaliated against those who were criticising him for focussing solely on the bowlers.
While experts and commentators were eager to take the finger at the bowlers, the experienced off-spinner noted that the hitters, who were unable to record above-average totals on batting-friendly conditions, received little attention. India paid the pay after lower-order breakdowns despite five individual hundreds in each innings.
“I believed that the commentary turned into a jab at the Indian bowlers after 370 was chased down (in the first Test).” The storyline seemed to be pointing out why the Indian bowlers were unable to win the match. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin stated, “But many would have realised that in England, scores have been consistently chased down in the fourth innings with a little homework.”
“Batters ought to assume accountability. I am aware that batters are scoring runs. Although we did have five centurions, the father hundreds are nowhere to be seen. The fact that the lower order would not contribute (with the bat) is something we must accept. Our quick bowlers are unable to muster runs and bat,” Ashwin continued.
Ashwin says bowlers should put control and economy first.
Aside from Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwin highlighted that Indian bowlers should put more attention on economy and control than just taking wickets at the expense of giving up runs.
“I believe maidens are underappreciated in Test matches. While I would prefer that Bumrah pursue a higher economic rate, others ought to pursue a lower one. Someone claimed that Siraj was unlucky to not be among the wickets during a show I watched. Although I acknowledge that he bowled effectively in the second innings, you can’t just let things happen at the economic pace. You must improve your bowling technique gradually starting on Day 1 in Test cricket, and the benefits would be felt in the last innings, Ashwin said.
“You tend to become conservative in an attempt to stop the flow if you give up a lot of runs in the first innings, and this strategy won’t win you wickets. Given Bumrah’s presence, if I were Morkel, I would advise the other bowlers to do little. As they say, you will get a wicket if you bowl three maidens. After three consecutive maidens against this England team, do you not think a wicket will fall? Giving two runs each over against this team is equivalent to bowling a maiden, he continued.
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