Erapalli Prasanna: Not picking Ravichandran Ashwin shows lack of faith; Ravindra Jadeja not a strike bowler

Ravichandran Ashwin

Former Indian spinner Erapalli Prasanna has slammed the Indian management for not fielding Ravichandran Ashwin in any of the three completed matches of the ongoing 5-match Test series against England. Speaking to the media, Prasanna said that not playing the off-spinner only indicates the lack of trust in him.

"I don't know what are the considerations while selecting a playing XI. But this shows lack of faith. You must have faith in Ashwin for him to deliver,” said the Karnataka offie, widely considered as the best of India’s 1960-70 spin-quartet.

“If Ashwin has reached 100 wickets in quickest time, there must be some reason behind it. Look at England. They showed faith in that young boy Moeen and he has delivered," he pointed out at the Tamil Nadu spinner breaking his own record to become the fastest Indian to reach the milestone.

Play two spinners

The Karnataka-born, who has 957 First-class wickets to his name, however, backed Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion in the playing XI and insisted that India should revert to its traditional strategy of backing their strength: the spinners.

"Ravindra Jadeja should play in all Tests but only as a stock bowler. He is not a wicket-taker. Jadeja's capability as a spinner doesn't make him a strike bowler. Now if the team management forces a stock bowler to become a strike bowler, then disaster is waiting to happen."

"Ashwin should have played in all three Test matches. From my experience of playing in England, I can tell you that even if Ashwin plays at Old Trafford, he will come good at Oval, which can assist spinners. Jadeja should be used as a supporting option with Ashwin in lead role," said Prasanna, who has 189 Test wickets to his name.

Ineffective Jadeja

The 74-year-old also added that relying on the left-arm spinner alone will not help, as he doesn’t turn the ball .

"Doesn't the figures say it all,” he said on his impact. “If a bowler needs more than 100 balls to get a wicket means that a batsmen is getting well settled by that time. Have you seen Jadeja beat the bat of any leading batsmen consistently unless there is some turn and bite on offer from the 22 yards? If not then how can you solely depend on Jadeja?"

More reasons to play two spinners

Prasanna further said that the lack of quality in India’s pace bowling department is one other reason why MS Dhoni should go back to the two-spinner strategy.

"If we compare our seamers with that of England, they certainly have a more potent attack than ours. Both Stuart Broad and James Anderson can consistently bowl close to 140 kmph and use the short ball sparingly. If you can swing the ball at that pace, it's not easy to remove the bat as batsmen have a propensity to hang their bats.

"Our bowlers are bowling mainly in early 130 kmps and the batsmen are finding enough time to remove their bats. Also matches are won by performance of bowlers between overs 30 and 60. Have our seamers done well with the semi-new ball? If we won at Lord's was because Ishant bowled those bouncers. It was not some great exhibition of seam and swing bowling.

"Look even at Lord's, the pitch flattened out considerably after the first day. Therefore the logic of not using a finger spinner doesn't work," said the Indian great.