For the first time in the ongoing Test series against England, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had the opportunity to bowl with the new ball in the visitors’ second innings on Day 3 of the Ranchi Test.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s utilization of the new ball proved to be highly effective, yielding immediate results as he dismissed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope on consecutive deliveries. With the new ball, Ashwin generated extra bounce, inducing Duckett to edge one to the short-leg fielder before trapping Pope lbw for yet another duck in the Test match.
The new ball has some sort of attachment- Ravichandran Ashwin
In a post-match interview with the host broadcaster after the conclusion of Day 3’s play, Ravichandran Ashwin shared insights into how he got the opportunity to bowl with the new ball in the second innings against England.
I have always enjoyed bowling with the new ball and today was one of those days where Rohit just said in the huddle, ‘You both (Ashwin) are starting. Who wants to start?’ I put my hand up and said I will start the over from this side. The new ball has some sort of attachment. I love bowling with the speed (off the surface).”
Ravichandran Ashwin’s remarkable performance saw him claim his 35th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, as he orchestrated the visitors’ collapse for just 145 runs. This set India a target of 192 to win the fourth Test. Ashwin, who hadn’t been at his best earlier in the series, delivered a crucial performance when it mattered most, boosting India’s chances of victory.
There’s not enough bite off the surface- Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin mentioned that there wasn’t much assistance from the pitch with the new ball, so he focused on getting the ball to dip to deceive the batsmen. After switching ends, he noticed a bit more grip and turn. Returning to his standard delivery, Ashwin bowled Joe Root around the wicket, using his variations effectively to dismiss the England captain. He said,
Somehow when I come to the eastern part of the country, I find there’s not enough bite off the surface. The bounce is almost shin height. So I had to go for the sidespin and had to hammer the ball on the pitch for a long part of the first spell. From the other end I found there was a bit of grip with the older ball.”
Ravichandran Ashwin explained that he had been cautious about using his carrom ball earlier in the innings due to concerns about his knee. He wanted to ensure that if he didn’t execute it perfectly, he wouldn’t leak easy runs. However, he eventually used the delivery to dismiss Ben Foakes, showcasing his tactical acumen and adaptability.
India ended Day 4 of the fourth Test against England on 40/0, requiring 152 more runs to win the match and seal the Test series.
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