Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered some unconventional advice to Shubman Gill's team on how to counter England's aggressive "Bazball" approach in the ongoing Test series: embrace a more defensive and patient strategy. With England having successfully chased down a target of 371 in the first Test at Headingley, concerns have arisen about India's ability to contain the home side's relentless attacking style.
Ashwin suggests that instead of panicking and drastically changing their approach, India should focus on extending their batting innings by occupying the crease for longer periods. The goal should be to keep England on the field for as long as possible, thereby increasing the physical and mental fatigue on the English bowlers. He emphasized that Test matches are not won in a single session but can certainly be lost in one.
Ashwin specifically cautioned Shubman Gill against getting carried away and losing his wicket to rash shots, especially after reaching a century. He urged Gill to convert hundreds into substantial scores and avoid getting out to "slog sweeps". Ashwin's strategy revolves around tiring out the opposition and capitalizing on scoring opportunities when the pressure mounts on the English side.
Ashwin's advice also extended to field placements, advocating for defensive fields and a "negative" style of play when necessary. The idea is to stem the flow of runs and prevent the English batsmen from running away with the game. By drying up the boundaries and forcing England to work harder for their runs, India can create opportunities for wickets and apply scoreboard pressure.
Furthermore, Ashwin questioned Shubman Gill’s decision to not use Shardul Thakur effectively in the first Test. He felt that Thakur should have been introduced earlier, especially against Joe Root, against whom Thakur has had success in the past. Ashwin believes that Shardul needs to be utilized better to make an impact in the game.
Ashwin has also weighed in on the Jasprit Bumrah situation, suggesting that if Bumrah is willing to play, he should be included in the second Test. He acknowledged the pre-series plan to manage Bumrah's workload by having him play only three of the five Tests. However, given India's loss in the first Test, Ashwin believes that Bumrah's presence is crucial to leveling the series.
While acknowledging that Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers in the first Test, Ashwin highlighted the importance of not letting the English batsmen score easily against the other bowlers. He stressed the need to hold the flow of runs when Bumrah is not bowling, even if it means adopting defensive tactics.
Ultimately, Ashwin's advice boils down to a blend of patience, strategic thinking, and adaptability. He believes that by combining a defensive mindset with opportunistic scoring, India can effectively counter England's Bazball approach and turn the tide in the series.
