‘Had a lot of expectations from him, but it was a let down’ – Aakash Chopra on R Ashwin’s performance in South Africa Tests
Ravichandran Ashwin (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra feels that Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance was not up to the mark in the recently concluded South Africa series. He further said that the ineffectiveness of Ashwin with both the bat and the ball was one of the reasons behind India’s failure in the series.
Ashwin, who was the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2021, failed to leave a mark in the rainbow nation. He picked just three wickets in three matches at an average of 60.67. Two of these wickets came during the second innings of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.
The Indian think tank picked five bowlers in all three matches and Ashwin was given the number seven position in the batting order. Apart from one innings, Ashwin didn’t contribute much in the rest of the five innings. He made 89 runs at an average of 14.83 out of which 46 runs came during the first innings of the Johannesburg Test.
“Ravichandran Ashwin – there were a lot of expectations from him. In my opinion, Ashwin not taking wickets, especially in the fourth innings, I think that’s been a let-down for sure,” Chopra said in his latest YouTube video.
“Jadeja was not there, so he was certain to play. He will have to bat at No. 7, so there will be expectations of runs, he played one good knock as well, made 46 runs. But other than that, did he score runs every time – no, will he score runs every time – no,” he added.
“I was slightly disappointed” – Aakash Chopra on Ashwin’s bowling performance
Chopra accepted that the pitches in South Africa had zero assists for the spinners. He also mentioned that Ashwin failed to leave an impression with the ball.
“I was slightly disappointed. I had a lot of expectations from him that he will do something, that he will contribute a little more, whether it was the Johannesburg or Cape Town pitch. Of course, they are not going to be rank turners but there was no contribution with the ball at all.”
