Mhambrey defends decision to drop spinner Ashwin

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London. The main point of discussion on the first day of the World Test Championship final was the Indian bowling combination and the fact that India preferred to leave out off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin despite the presence of several left-handed batsmen in the Australian line-up.

It was argued by many that India could have gone ahead with their best five bowlers even if it meant three pacers and two spinners and included Ashwin oblivious to the obvious circumstances.

The pitch, which looked green, helped the fast bowlers in the first hour but flattened out later in the day and the Australians took advantage, with Travis Head (batting on 146) and Steve Smith (batting on 95) Took full advantage of it. The duo put on an unbeaten 251-run partnership for the fourth wicket to put Australia in a strong position as they reached 327/3 at stumps on day one.

Experts felt that a world-class bowler like Ashwin could have been more effective against Head. Ravindra Jadeja, the lone spinner in the five-man bowling unit, bowled 14 overs for 48 runs without any success.

India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, however, defended his decision and said that given the circumstances, India was right in going with an extra fast bowler.

“Look, it’s always a very difficult decision to take out such a champion bowler. But looking at the conditions in the morning, I thought having an extra pacer would definitely be beneficial. And it has worked in the past. If You see in the last matches that we played, in the last Test match, we went with four fast bowlers, which went really well. The fast bowlers have done well for us here.”

“You can always look back at it, saying that an extra spinner would have been different. But looking at the conditions in the morning, I felt an extra seamer would definitely have been helpful,” said the former India fast bowler.

He admitted that the decision to keep Ashwin out was a difficult one and was discussed thoroughly between the team management and also with the bowler himself.

“I think when you discuss with the team, not only on the first day, but you know the conditions for a long time. We have been practicing for 3-4 days. We are watching the wicket, how is it . I think that conversation is with the player. Obviously, we have to be honest about our strategies. The player is very important. But your combination is also important.”

He said that Ashwin understands that this decision was taken for the benefit of the team and in terms of combination and wicket.

He said, “Yes, he (Ashwin) is a world-class bowler. Definitely, there is no doubt about that. But I think when we have conversations, the player also understands that if the combination in terms of wickets But if a decision is taken, it is taken for the benefit of the team.”

Admitting that he probably realized after some time in the match that he should have gone ahead with two spinners, Mhambrey said the players would understand why the decision was taken.

“I think it will happen. Somewhere after the game you realize that you could have played with two spinners. It will happen. But I think the conversation is honest. And the player understands that if a decision is taken If so, why has that decision been taken?”

Mhambrey was confident that India would bounce back in the match on the second day morning.

“Yeah, why not? I thought the conditions today obviously, like the wicket, it was better. But the second new ball we took, we noticed the ball was seaming a bit, cutting a bit. So, Definitely, tomorrow morning will be an important session for us. If we can pick up some quick wickets, we will definitely have a chance to get back in the game.”(IANS)

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