Australia need to be proactive against Ravichandran Ashwin: Ian Chappell

Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell has advised the Australian batters to be proactive against India’s star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, and keep rotating strike at regular intervals and also pace the innings to perfection ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India starting from February 9 in Nagpur. Ashwin has been one of the pivotal players for India’s dominating home run for over a decade.

The 36-year-old right-arm off-spinner has taken 290 wickets at home Tests since 2012 in 48 matches. In the same period, Ashwin has a bowling average of 21.03, with six ten-wicket hauls and 22 fifers. His best figure at home remains 7/59 in an innings. The Aussies had also called Mahesh Pithiya for their training in Alur, Karnatake, as the bowling action from the Baroda cricketer resembles most of India’s star spinner.

"Why is Ashwin likely to be the threat? Because he is a smart cricketer. Ashwin will always be a problem. Now, if you let him bowl the way he wants to bowl, you are in trouble. He will be a threat to Australia throughout. They have got to be proactive," said Chappell in an interaction with Star Sports.

"You got to be thinking about being proactive. If you are not dictating terms, then you are in trouble. You have to get singles and rotate the strike. He (Ashwin) then has to change (his strategy against) whom he is bowling to then," the former Australian cricketer further added.

Chappell also shared his opinion against using Ashton Agar as the second spinner. "Australia should not get carried away by left and right combination. India have got one in Ashwin and Jadeja who are both very good bowlers. Agar is a guy, who averages 40. If he is picked for few runs down the order, there would be a temptation to play him as Cameron Green can't bowl. But that theory is rubbish," said Chappell.

He concluded by saying, "If Agar is not among your two best spinners, then don't pick him. Bowlers are there to pick wickets. It is up to batters to get runs."

Both India and Australia are all set to lock horns in a four-match Test series that the four venues, namely Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamshala, and Ahmedabad will host. The series will be an important one from the perspective of both sides in order to secure their place in the World Test Championship final. After the Tests, both teams are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series that will begin on March 17.

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