Ashwin sidesteps coach row, blocks question on Kumble and Shastri

MUMBAI : With India’s three-Test series against Sri Lanka scheduled to begin later this week under the cloud of coach controversy, the players are keeping mum over the issue.

Premier off-spinner R Ashwin, who looks set to continue his good Test form and grab a bundle of wickets, refused to delve deep into the controversy when asked by the media to give his opinion on the matter.

“I think the new coach or the new support staff, it does not come under my jurisdiction, it is not something I will take a call on. I am not being diplomatic, it will be unfair for me to pass a comment on that,” said Ashwin at a promotional event.

Ashwin, however, said it will not affect the team and they have learnt to move on.

“Likewise always, the Indian team moves on, India moves on (and) we have to find out in the course of time how it is going,” said the offie, who is 25 short of reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets.

Ashwin who revived his Test career during India’s last tour to the island nation two years back, is coming off a sensational season. He broke Proteas spearhead Dale Steyn’s record of most wickets in a season by finishing with 82 scalps in 2016-17 and also broke Kapil Dev’s record for most wickets (63) in a home season.

He picked 72 wickets in the 2016 calendar year.

Before the previous Sri Lanka series, the spinner had struggled to get going, often getting dropped as India played most of their Tests outside Asia.

But when India play Sri Lanka, Ashwin will form a potent combination with Ravindra Jadeja, who took 71 wickets in the 2016-17 season.

Chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav will be waiting in the wings.