Nagpur Test: It's on the batsman's skill to play spin and bounce, says Ashwin

Indian off spinner questions all those who are critical of Indian pitches offering substantial turn asking why no one raises a question when an Ashes Test at Trent Bridge ends in just a shade over two days

Nagpur: Indian off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin yesterday questioned all those who are critical of Indian pitches offering substantial turn asking why no one raises a question when an Ashes Test at Trent Bridge ends in just a shade over two days.


Ravichandran Ashwin. Pic/AFP

The feisty off-spinner also did not forget to take a dig at the South African tracks like the one in Johannesburg where he did not get any purchase from a fifth day track back in December 2013. "I did not complain after Johannesburg (Test). I was dropped for a year after that. And, I am not going to complain playing here. There's no reason why I should have complaints.

What about outside India?
"Swing, seam and bounce for two days at Trent Bridge (referring to the Ashes) — match over. I don't know what that's about," said Ashwin. He could not hide his sarcasm when asked about South African batsmen being greeted with turning tracks. "What is the problem about spin and bounce? It is good to have even spin and bounce, isn't it? It's about skills for batsmen to play and counter it," Ashwin put forth his viewpoint.

"Fortunately or unfortunately, I don't have the rights over the groundsman to say over what kind of pitch he needs to prepare. Once that's done, it is my job to go out and play," said Ashwin. He also did not seem amused by the fact that focus of discussion during the Test series has been the tracks.

"The talks about the pitch are getting out of hand. That's straight from my heart, you can beg to differ with me. There are enough good cricketers from both sides that you can talk about," he shot back.

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