As India prepares for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has called for greater accountability from the team’s top-order batters. Despite five Indian players scoring centuries in the opening Test at Headingley, India lost the match by five wickets as England successfully chased 371.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin praised the batters for scoring runs but questioned their overall impact. He urged the team to go beyond individual milestones and aim for match-defining innings.
“Batters should take up responsibility. Yes, we had five centurions, but where are the daddy hundreds? We need someone to bat deep. Our lower order is not contributing with the bat, so the top order must shoulder that burden,” Ashwin said.
India’s recent team selections have leaned towards boosting batting depth with the inclusion of all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, and Washington Sundar. However, Ashwin believes that reliance on bowlers to deliver with the bat is not a realistic expectation in tough English conditions.
In the Headingley Test, the lower-order failed to provide resistance, which added pressure on the top six. Ashwin’s remarks highlight the growing concern that starts are not being converted into game-changing scores.
Ashwin urges bowlers to support Bumrah
Ashwin also pointed out the lack of support Jasprit Bumrah received from the rest of the bowling attack. While Bumrah starred with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, others struggled to maintain pressure.
“In Tests, maidens are underrated. It’s okay if Bumrah goes for runs while attacking, but the other bowlers need to be tight. Siraj bowled well but the economy rate matters. You can’t just hope for things to fall into place,” Ashwin said.
India, trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, now faces crucial decisions ahead of the second Test starting Wednesday. Both batting temperament and bowling discipline will be under the spotlight as the team looks to bounce back.
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