Stranded on 499 Test wickets after the Vizag Test, Ravichandran Ashwin’s wait in joining the exclusive ‘500 Club’ got a bit longer on Monday.
Beginning the second Test at 496 wickets, Ashwin was expected to reach the landmark in this game itself but the veteran off-spinner had a below-par outing with the ball in both the innings.
While Ashwin went wicketless in the first innings, he bagged three in the second. And the Tom Hartley dismissal, which was reversed to not out, stretched Ashwin’s wait.
As Ashwin had an unimpressive outing in the second Test, former England skipper Kevin Pietersen felt that the India veteran was chasing the ‘500-wicket’ milestone and that in-turn put pressure on him.
“Ashwin was just chasing milestone. That’s why he didn’t bowl as well as he could have bowled. He did get it right on occasions. I thought he was way more threatening bowling wider outside off-stump round the wicket. I think he bowled over the wicket way too much to the right-handers. He can change bowling over-bowling around-bowling over more,” Pietersen told official broadcasters after India’s 106-run win over England on Monday.
Pietersen also pointed out once Ashwin manages his 500th wicket, the monkey will be off his shoulders and the offie once again will be at his best in the remainder of the series.
“I’m certainly never going to say that he hasn’t got it or the England bowlers have found him out. He is a tremendous bowler and he’s got some big breakthroughs. It is about the team, it’s not about the individual. He will want one more wicket and when he gets that may you’ll see him a lot more relaxed, the shoulder drops and I can just now get on with the game,” added the former England batter.
The third Test will begin in Rajkot from February 15.
Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin’s quest to reach 500 Test wickets was delayed after a disappointing performance in the second Test against England. Ashwin, who began the match with 496 wickets, failed to take any wickets in the first innings but managed to pick up three in the second. However, one of his dismissals was reversed, prolonging his wait to join the exclusive ‘500 Club’. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen suggested that Ashwin was putting pressure on himself to achieve the milestone, affecting his performance. Pietersen believes that once Ashwin reaches his 500th wicket, he will regain his form and perform better. The third Test will begin in Rajkot on February 15.
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