“The commentary disintegrated about the Indian bowlers, where Daddy is from hundreds of batsmen?” ,

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin came down heavily upon critics for targeting the Indian bowlers following the five-wicket loss in Leeds. Much to India’s dismay, despite contributions from the top five in both innings, Shubman Gill and co. went on to lose the ENG vs IND 1st Test, thanks to lack of contribution from the lower order batters and other bowlers with the ball barring Jasprit Bumrah. Ahead of the 2nd Test, Ashwin urged other Indian bowlers to back Bumrah well while also stressing on the need for lower order batters to score runs.

Ashwin refuses to blame bowlers for loss in ENG vs IND 1st Test

In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin noted that the narrative after the loss in Leeds had been directed towards blaming the bowlers for the defeat. He pointed out that scores have been consistently chased down in the 4th innings in England and that it was no fault of the bowlers alone. Ashwin said that while Indian batters did score five centuries in the game, there was zero contribution from the lower order batters.

“Once 370 was chased down, I thought the commentary became a diss about the Indian bowlers. I felt that the narrative built was pointing towards how Indian bowlers failed to win the match. Batters should take up responsibility. I know batsmen are making runs. Yes, we had five centurions, but where are the daddy hundreds? We have to resign to the fact that there would be no contribution (with the bat) from the lower order,” Ashwin said.

Further, the veteran advised bowlers apart from Bumrah to keep a check on their economy rate. Ashwin noted that if a lot of runs were given away in the 1st innings, then the team tends to become conservative and hence fail to get wickets in the 2nd. He said that Indian bowlers need to target bowling more maidens, adding that this would put pressure on the England batters and wickets will fall.

“In Tests, I think maidens are quite underrated. Ideally, I would be okay with Bumrah going for a higher economy rate, but others should go low. In Tests, you have to build your bowling gradually from Day 1, and the rewards will come in the final innings,” Ashwin added.