Indian spinning duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja destroyed the Australian batting lineup in the first two Tests of the four-match Test series. Many fans and cricket experts expected that the Kangaroos will show up a better performance against the spinners as they were practicing well against them in the nets but that didn’t happen as Ashwin and Jadeja picked 31 out of the 40 Australian wickets in just two Test matches.
Australian spinner also tried hard to do the same but didn’t look much effective. Meanwhile, former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels that Nathan Lyon should not try to emulate Ashwin and should stick to his natural bowling style. He also said that Ashwin bowled better than Jadeja but the left-armer went away with seven wickets in the 2nd innings.
“Too often they (opposition spinners) do try and replicate the skillset (of Aswin and Jadeja). Talking about Ashwin and Jadeja… They know exactly what to do in India. Ashwin is a damn fine bowler, doesn’t matter where he bowls. I’ve seen him bowl in Australia, he bowled extremely well. He is also very smart. He works out exactly what he’s gotta do. Jadeja doesn’t vary too much although he has learned a few things and has improved his bowling but he’s got the skillset that is perfect for India and the two of them work together,” Chappell said on ESPNCricinfo.
“In this game, I thought Ashwin bowled bloody well but Jadeja got the seven wickets but that’s the way it happens some days. I don’t think you can come and replicate what they do. Nathan Lyon is not R Ashwin, he’s got to bowl like Nathan Lyon and he has tried to do that,” he added.
Jadeja is far more dangerous than Ashwin: Aakash Chopra
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra tried to explain the reasons behind Jadeja’s success with the ball in the first two Tests of the series. Chopra opined that his speed is just perfect to get the maximum benefits on the Indian pitches.
“What do you have to do as bowlers on these surfaces? You just need to put the ball there. There is enough purchase if you find the right speed to bowl at and that is where Jadeja becomes far more dangerous as compared to Ashwin. In a sense of just the skillset, with the things that you can do with the red ball, you’ll say Ashwin is a bit more skillful but it’s Jadeja who will do the damage because he’s just too quick. His natural pace is the optimum pace at which one must bowl to get the maximum out of the surface,” he said.
