Following the second innings, Ravichandran Ashwin claimed three wickets. Taking one more wicket would have made him the second Indian bowler to reach 500 wickets in Test matches.
The focus of Monday’s concluded second Test between India and England was host dominance. With the first Test already lost 0-1 and without the services of key players, the Indian cricket team captained by Rohit Sharma has its work cut out for them. With youthful batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill showcasing their skill at the bat and Jasprit Bumrah demonstrating why he is among the world’s top pacers, they performed their job flawlessly. Ravichandran Ashwin, another seasoned player, claimed three wickets in the second innings. He would have only became the second Indian bowler to reach 500 Test wickets, behind Anil Kumble, with one more wicket.
Ashwin, who currently stands at 499 wickets, did not bowl as well as he could have given that he was close to reaching the milestone, according to former England cricket player Kevin Pietersen.
“Milestones were Ashwin’s only goal. His bowling was below his potential because of this. On several times, he was correct. Bowling farther outside off-stump round the wicket, in my opinion, was far more dangerous. I believe that he gave the right-handers far too many over-the-stakes deliveries. After India defeated England by 106 runs on Monday, Pietersen observed on Jio Cinema, “He can change bowling over-bowling around-bowling over more.”
After reaching the milestone, Ashwin will be much more at ease, the former England batter continued.
“I promise never to imply that he lacks skill or that the England bowlers have discovered him. He has made some major strides and is an outstanding bowler. Teamwork is what matters; solo performance is not. “I can now proceed with the game as he will want one more wicket. Once he gets it, you can observe him becoming much more relaxed and dropping his shoulder,” he stated.
In Monday’s second Test match here, Indian bowlers defeated England’s firebrand batting with a 106-run triumph, stifling ‘Bazball’ with their tenacity in an exciting match.
Speaking about the game, England started day four chasing a record target of 399, starting at 67 for one. In the long afternoon session, they were bowled out for 292 runs.
This time, the visiting team’s unrestrained strategy—which has generally worked—did not bear fruit as India rallied in the five-match series by taking nine wickets in two sessions.
Beginning on February 15, the third Test will take place in Rajkot.
