R Ashwin Feels India Unlikely To Qualify for Finals of World Test Championship
India’s best spin bowling arsenal and a much-needed constituent in Test cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin has also expressed his reservation regarding the prospect of India qualifying into the WTC finals.
His statement reflects the same concerns, showing how the lack of continuity and inconsistency throughout recent games are making it very tough for the team to get a spot in the WTC finals.
Let’s dig deeper into Ashwin’s perspective, India’s performance in the ongoing WTC cycle, and the factors that have led to this precarious situation.
Ashwin’s Perspective
Ashwin has always been candid about his assessments. He recently stated that India qualifying for the WTC final is improbable, given the performances of the team in most of the key series.
He pointed out missed opportunities, lapses in execution, and formidable opposition as the three main reasons for India sitting at this position on the points table of the WTC. Ashwin’s verdict seems to resonate well among fans and experts who watched India’s journey through and through in the championship.
India’s Performance in the Current WTC Cycle
The WTC, an initiative to provide context to the bilateral Test series, has witnessed mixed performances from India in this cycle. Let’s consider India’s performances across the key series:
1. India vs. England (2021-2022):
India dominated the Test series against England as well. They won a crucial two Tests, namely the first and fourth, from the series.
In 2022, India did crumble in the fifth Test which was rescheduled and went on to help England chase a record target, taking a lot from India’s win percentage and WTC points.
2. India vs. South Africa (2021-2022):
India toured South Africa, and they started their tour with a dominating victory in the first Test but lost in the next two matches. The series defeat exposed weaknesses in batting and the inability to cash in on favorable positions.
3. India vs. Australia (2023):
So far, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has given India much to be enthusiastic about. Dominant performances in the first two games really spelled out the team’s power play, especially on subcontinent pitches that support spin play.
However, if they can maintain this rhythm going through the WTC campaign is another thing.
Statistics Highlighting Team India’s Overall Performance
Team India had mixed performances in the WTC, where good personal performances were often clouded by team inconsistency.
Batting Analysis
1. Rohit Sharma: He has been a good performer as a captain. He has scored important centuries, like the one against Australia in the ongoing series. Anchoring of innings has been one of his key performances.
2. Virat Kohli: Kohli remains a very important player for India, though he had a poor run lately. His Test century drought is an issue concerning the middle order of India.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara: There have been glimpses of the old Pujara in the way he has played those crucial innings under pressure. But the strike rate remains a talking point.
Bowling Performances:
1. Ravichandran Ashwin: Ashwin has been a priceless contributor. He has taken over 45 wickets in the ongoing WTC cycle at a phenomenal average, including the spells that mattered in India’s victories against Australia. His capacity to bowl in different conditions has made him India’s go-to bowler.
2. Jasprit Bumrah: Before his injury, Bumrah had been delivering match-winning performances, especially in England. His absence has been felt in crucial matches.
3. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj: Both pacers have played important roles, especially in seaming conditions, but their performances have been match-to-match.
Ashwin’s Individual Performance
Ashwin is an all-rounder and a backbone of India’s Test setup. Here are his key statistics in the ongoing WTC cycle:
Bowling:
1. Matches: 10
2. Wickets: 49
3. Average: 20.75
4. Best Figures: 6/56
Batting:
1. Runs: 257
2. Average: 28.55
3. Best Score: 61*
Ashwin’s batting prowess has saved India on multiple occasions by scoring crucial lower-order runs and taking the team out of sticky situations. Ashwin’s heroics do reflect his significance in the side.
Reasons India Faces Issues
Ashwin is facing a series of problems that have been haunting India during their WTC tour:
1. Erratic Batting:
India’s batting is a side that has failed to gain continuity mostly outside the conditions of its own country. Regular collapse has mounted a lot of pressure on the bowlers.
2. Over-Rest upon Key Players:
This side seems to be totally reliant upon the big players- Rohit Sharma, Ashwin and Bumrah, for when they have poor matches or are unfit, balance is lost
1. Injuries
The injury to key players Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja has seen India not able to field their best XI. The absence of Jadeja during the South Africa series has meant India had a gap both in bowling and batting.
2. Challenging Conditions:
Playing against South Africa and England made India expose its vulnerabilities in the presence of quality pace attacks. Indian traditional strength in pitches favoring spinners hasn’t translated into dominant performances often enough.
3. Points System and Penalties:
The WTC’s points system, which includes penalties for slow over-rates, has also hurt India. Maintaining the required over-rate has been a recurring issue.
Path Forward for India
Despite all this, India’s qualification hopes are not entirely dashed. Winning the remaining Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy would significantly boost their chances. Results in other series, such as Australia vs. Sri Lanka and South Africa’s matches, will also play a role in determining the finalists.
Improvement needed to boost prospects:
1. Batting: Building partnerships and strengthening the middle order.
2. Workload Management: Ensure key players remain fit and available for crucial matches.
3. Condition-specific approach: Prepare strategies to overcome challenges in overseas conditions.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s assessment of India’s WTC campaign is a pragmatic recognition of the obstacles before the team. While individual brilliance keeps India in contention, it is collective team performances that will ensure a place in the finals.
As the WTC cycle progresses, fans would hope for a turnaround that not only boosts India’s chances but also solidifies their reputation as one of the strongest teams in Test cricket.
