Improved Ashwin finally breaks into top seven
NORTH SOUND (ANTIGUA): It hurts a frontline bowler if his batting ability is doubted. But R Ashwin is more than just that. He had two Test centuries against West Indies at home before this but something gives that his third on Friday, batting at No.6 for the first time in his career, might be a life changer for Ashwin. This innings might have just sealed India’s batting order for at least a year to come.
Given how India are lined up to play a big home season after this tour, the timing of Ashwin’s innings is paramount. A spinning allrounder is a much better bet since it’s impossible to maintain the fitness of a medium pacer as well as a batsman. Ashwin ticks all the boxes for this role. He is also a good fielder in the slips. He takes pride on putting a price on his wicket but also backs it with a solid defensive technique and an array of copybook strokes, especially in front of the wicket and down the line.
Of course not every bowling attack will be as insipid as West Indies but Ashwin still showed the intent to give himself time and not hurry into any shot. His century on Friday was perfect foil for Virat Kohli’s aggression. And apart from that one blunder by Shane Dowrich in the 98th over when he dropped Ashwin off Shannon Gabriel, this was almost a perfect innings.
BATTING ABILITY Ashwin’s batting ability was always valued highly but never during MS Dhoni’s reign did he get to bat at No.6. That finally changed under Kohli. It might be coincidental that both Ashwin and Kohli made their India debut in 2011 but chances are that mates from the same year tend to know each other better than the rest. That way, Kohli finally gave approval to Ashwin’s potential by making him bat ahead of Wriddhiman Saha. “I have always wanted to bat in the top seven for the Indian team, which is a long-time goal that I have to try to strive to get better at,” Ashwin said after end of day’s play.
“I need to thank Anil bhai and Virat for having the confidence in me to be pushed at number six. There have been times in the past when I have played really well, and haven’t really got the promotion. This really says a whole lot of things about me. Virat called me in the morning and said ‘you’ll be batting at six, ahead of Saha’, which is a big boost to my batting confidence. I had worked on it over the past one month in Chennai with my coach and I’m very happy with the way it’s come out,” he said.
Against a listless opposition on a flat pitch, Ashwin grabbed the chance with both hands. It helped that Kohli was at the other side when he came to the crease. While the India captain kept the score going with boundaries and singles, Ashwin used all the time he wanted to settle down almost unnoticed. By the time Kohli departed, he was solidly saddled at 64. Still Ashwin took his time because West Indies simply refused to attack. A century was beckoning but more importantly, India needed someone to anchor their cruise past the 500-run mark. Ashwin was perfect for the job.
He was not all about blocking though. Ashwin revealed he had worked a lot on his technique. “Sanjay Bangar worked really closely with my stance for the last 12 months. It has been a challenge. I used to be extra side-on and I had to open myself a little bit. That change is very effective. I have not driven straight down the ground for a very long time. The other things like my initial movement and other things had to be sorted. It was a process for like 10-12 months, and on the way I did lose a few innings as a batsman as well,” he said.
His improvement showed. Of the 12 boundaries struck by Ashwin, his on-drive past Jason Holder was as good as anybody. Then there was a backfoot punch through mid-on. And when Holder brought all his fielders inside the circle when he was on 99, Ashwin punched Devendra Bishoo through midwicket for an easy boundary. It was the right statement made at the right time. Not only did India get the runs desired to put West Indies under pressure they achieved it through a spinner whose overseas bowling record is not as great as that at home. This century might have just given Ashwin’s overseas credentials a major boost.