The Oval, London:
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his disappointment over India’s on-field tactics during the ongoing fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, questioning the team’s game awareness and decision-making.
With the match delicately poised heading into Day 5, England need just 35 runs to win, while India require four wickets to seal victory. On Day 4, Joe Root and Harry Brook threatened to take the game away from India with brilliant centuries during England’s chase of 374. However, both fell late in the day, giving the visitors a lifeline. Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton are the unbeaten batters at the crease as England eye a 3-1 series win.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin pulled no punches, pointing to what he called a lack of “game awareness” and tactical sharpness from the Indian camp.
“I have felt in this series that there has been a lack of game awareness and, in many ways, our tactical acumen both on and off the field. This is the main reason why England are ahead in this series and India are behind. We haven’t been the sharpest,” Ashwin said.
While acknowledging that captain Shubman Gill is still learning the ropes, Ashwin suggested that overconfidence in playing spin might have influenced the team’s reluctance to use spinners at crucial junctures.
“I feel Shubman Gill will get really better as the captain. He will learn. But sometimes, if you feel you can play spin really well, you might not bring spinners into the attack. When you miss the moment to bring them in under favourable conditions, the spinner becomes a defensive option,” he explained.
Also Read: India vs England: Harry Brook Makes India Pay Heavily For Dropped Catch!
Ashwin particularly highlighted the missed opportunity to introduce Washington Sundar earlier against Harry Brook, who was scoring freely against the pacers.
“When Harry Brook started attacking, after 20 runs, you could have brought on the spinner to choke the run flow. From the other end, a pacer could have bowled. With all this in mind, Washington Sundar could have been brought earlier into the attack,” Ashwin said. “Making these mistakes is a huge gap. In today’s day and age, these mistakes can definitely be avoided.”
A HEART-BREAKING MOMENT 💔 pic.twitter.com/9rQl9Zkw7e
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The numbers support Ashwin’s criticism of the 76.2 overs India have bowled in the fourth innings, spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja have bowled just eight combined. In England’s first innings, Sundar didn’t bowl at all, while Jadeja bowled only two overs.
Ashwin’s comments also hinted at uncertainty over the flow of communication between the dressing room and the players in the middle, adding another layer to India’s strategic shortcomings in the high-stakes clash.
