India went with four fast bowlers and one specialist spinner Ravindra Jadeja So far in the series but that could change in the fourth Test starting here on Thursday.
“I believe the time is ripe Ravichandran Ashwin To make his first appearance in the series. Traditionally, The Oval has thrown some of the flattest pitches in England, and it has been no different this season.
“Three of the five matches at home to Surrey in the County Championship have ended precariously, and ten centuries have been recorded in those games,” Karthik wrote in The Telegraph.
Karthik feels that Ashwin’s versatility will help India at the Oval.
“If I Virat KohliI want to bring a new dimension to this important test. As Ashwin has shown in his illustrious career, he hasn’t necessarily relied on assists from the surface to make an impact. Two left-handers from England are in the top three and three are in the top seven.”
“The off-spinner’s record against left-handers is second to none, and he exceeds the task against right-handed batsmen, which he tests with the knuckle ball and floater which he used to practice hours of hard work away from the harsh spotlight. Mastered through international sport.”
Karthik, who is playing in the upcoming IPL, said the conditions will suit Ashwin’s bowling style.
“In Australia, Ashwin got excellent drift with the Kookaburra ball, taking him off the right-hander in the air and breaking back on pitching. That’s how he had Steve Smith Caught at leg slip in the second Test in Melbourne.
“He is equally comfortable switching around the stumps and angling the ball away, a move that gave him the prized scalps of Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, two of Australia’s best batsmen.
“Like the Australian track, The Oval has bounce, Ashwin’s biggest ally away from home. He is willing to try to buy wickets as he always focuses on getting the batsmen out,” wrote Karthik.
Captain Virat Kohli can also open the bowling with Ashwin.
“One of Ashwin’s specialties is that he lets the ball hang in the air, because he has big fingers, he applies a lot of revs, which makes him particularly venomous when bowling to the left wing.
“At Headingley, from day one Moeen Ali Got the ball to set off a shallow footprint during his brief spell Ajinkya Rahane. What this reiterates is that if the surface is slightly damp, England can help with the turn.
“Ashwin is a master of bowling with the new or new red ball, so Virat can use him in the first hour as well, if the moisture is to be exploited. As the match progresses, Ashwin will definitely become a more powerful weapon.” ” Karthik.
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