South Africa vs India: Prasanna unimpressed with Ashwin's leg spin variation

Former Indian spin legend Erapalli Prasanna looks absolutely unimpressed with ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin trying out leg spin bowling. Recently, Ashwin was seen trying out some new variations ahead of the South Africa tour. He even tried his hands at leg spin in local cricket fixtures. As per the quotes in IBTimes, Prasanna remarked that these variations won’t work in South Africa.

He mentioned that at this stage of his career, Ashwin should know where his strengths are. Instead of trying out the leg spin bowling, he should focus on the art that has fetched him so many wickets. Albeit Ashwin is a direct selection in Tests for India, his selection in limited overs side has been a far cry in the recent times. It is being speculated that this is the primary reason why Ashwin is trying everything possible to get back in the blue jersey.

“The changes which he (Ashwin) has made is not an encouraging sign for a five-day game. He must have felt that in limited-overs leg-spinners are succeeding and since he has been overlooked, he might be thinking that concentrating on leg-spin he might have a better chance of taking wickets and playing (limited-overs),” quoted Prasanna.

“But he is doing this without realising that so late in his career if he changes from his main strength (off-spin), the selectors will not give way to him for ODIs and T20Is. Whatever change he is making will not suit for Test cricket because even a genuine leg-spinner is not consistent in a five-day game. And here is a makeshift leg-spinner who wants to do well. Unless he uses it (leg-spin) as a stock delivery, I don’t think it will be an excellent idea to change,” he added further.

On India’s chances in South Africa

When asked about the chances of the Indian team on the South African tour, Erapalli Prasanna was quick to quote that the team will put up an excellent show on the tour. Winning or losing, remains to be ascertained.

“India will win or lose I don’t know but one thing for sure, they will definitely put up an excellent show, in terms of both batting and bowling,” he conceded.

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