Ravichandran Ashwin is undoubtedly the current best and Number One off-spinner of the Indian Cricket Team. The Off-spinner recently bowled a leg-spin in a match in Chennai and succeeded in taking two wickets. However, according to the spin legend EAS Prasanna this variation won’t be a good idea to bowl at this stage of Ashwin’s career. Prasanna also mentioned that it does not ‘suits’ Test cricket.
Team India has already reached South Africa for the tour. Even if R Ashwin is rested for the limited overs format, he is the number one choice when it comes to Tests. In India Ashwin’s has been tremendously successful in Tests but his biggest challenge will be in the upcoming South Africa series which is starting on 5th of January 2018 at Newlands, Cape Town.
In a recent match in Chennai, last week the 30 years old off-spinner bowled a leg-spin and was successful in taking 2 wickets. And so he is more likely to do the similar thing in the South African series.
But while talking to International Business Times, India on Friday, former Indian off-spinner Prasanna questioned about Ashwin’s new move. He even said that it is not an encouraging sign for Test cricket. "The change which he (Ashwin) has made is not an encouraging sign for a five-day game," said Prasanna.
R Ashwin has 304 wickets to his name from 55 Tests. Prasanna feels that Ashwin is trying a leg-spin to win back his position in the limited over format but selectors might not pay attention at this change in order to recall him.
"He must have felt that in limited-overs leg-spinners are succeeding and since he has been overlooked, he might be thinking that concentrating on leg-spin he might have a better chance of taking wickets and playing (limited-overs)," Prasanna said.
"But he is doing this without realising that so late in his career if he changes from his main strength (off-spin), the selectors will not give way to him for ODIs and T20Is. Whatever change he is making will not suit for Test cricket because even a genuine leg-spinner is not consistent in a five-day game. And here is a makeshift leg-spinner who wants to do well. Unless he uses it (leg-spin) as a stock delivery, I don't think it will be an excellent idea to change," Prasanna, who took 189 Test wickets, added.
The 77 years old spinner is confident of India’s excellent show in South Africa despite win or loss. "India will win or lose I don't know but one thing for sure, they will definitely put up an excellent show, in terms of both batting and bowling," he added.
