There isn’t any denying the fact that Ravi Ashwin is one of the most talented cricketers to have played for India in the longest format of the game. Over the years, he has become the backbone of team India in test cricket. On Day 4 of the ongoing 1st test match, Ravi Ashwin once again proved why he is regarded as one of the best in the world.
Ashwin picked 6 wickets and recorded his 28th five-wicket haul after ending the innings with 6-61. He also became the first Indian spinner, and just the third cricketer in the world to take off the first ball of a Test match. While he has been receiving praises from all-corners, former England cricketer isn’t impressed with the Indian bowling wizard.
Former England cricketer Mark Butcher made a big statement about India’s test specialist Ravi Ashwin while criticising team India for their poor fielding effort in the ongoing first Test against England in Chennai. The statements came after Ravi Ashwin failed to hold on to a catch from Ben Stokes.
Though the Indian bowlers made a stunning comeback into the game, but the team was let down by the poor fielding by their teammates. Ben Stokes was dropped twice in two consecutive overs while he was batting on 31 and 32. As a result, Ben Stokes went on to score 82 runs.
Later, while speaking to Star Sports Network during the lunch interval on Day 2, Mark Butcher claimed Ashwin isn’t the best mover” in the Indian team and looks like he is 20-years-older than he really is. He said:
“Catch those. That’s the issue. He managed to beat Stokes a couple of times off the flat part of the wicket. Didn’t need the rough for that but you’re going to need a little more assistance to put a batsman like Ben Stokes under pressure. When he does give you a chance, you’re going to have to take it,”
He added:
“Ashwin’s not the best mover in the Indian side. He always looks to me like he’s 20 years older than he really is sometimes out there on the field. And he’s bowled a lot of overs, he’s looking a little bit tired and that’s the chance you desperately want to hang on to. The thing that ended up being the case for India is that they were going to hope that Ben Stokes did something wrong and gave him a chance. Stokes was aiming it to the left of the screen and it ended up going upright,”
