India have bowled only 10 overs of spin across two innings of The Oval Test so far.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin blasted captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir for a lack of tactical acumen in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.
Bad light and subsequent rain forced early stumps on Day 4, pushing the game to the fifth and final day of The Oval Test. It set up a thrilling session, with England needing only 35 more runs to win. On the other hand, India require four wickets for a memorable win. But it could be three wickets if Chris Woakes, who sustained a shoulder injury on Day 1, is unable to walk into the middle.
EDR
81/2
WDL
–
CDK
–
NDT
–
ODW
–
PD
–
WDL
–
SDS
–
KSP
–
GUI
62/6
WIM
–
GUI
–
KSP
–
CPP
–
CPP
–
WIM
–
KSP
–
WIM
–
GUI
–
CPP
–
LCC
–
CPP
–
GUI
–
KSP
–
KSP
–
LCC
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GUI
–
LCC
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YOR
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BB
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LAN
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NOR
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GLAM
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HAM
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DURH
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SUSS
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NOT
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ESS
–
GLO
–
DER
–
GTC
65/10
NAJC
130/7
Nabajyoti Club beat Gauhati Town Club by 65 runs
91YC
60/7
CCC
–
BCC
–
GUG
–
NVR
–
NAJC
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PCR
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KRMPS
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BCC
–
BNC
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RTZ
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TCC
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GUJCC
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NCMI
–
JOR
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MEL
–
KELN
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PHG
–
KLPR
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PENG
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PUT
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SRAK
–
HTW
111/5
SHLW
126/6
Shivamogga Lioness Women beat Hubli Tigers Women by 15 runs
MDW
–
BBW
57/4
MWW
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HTW
–
SHLW
–
BBW
–
WI
176/6
PAK
189/4
Pakistan won by 13 runs
LOS
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OVI
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LSW-W
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OIW-W
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The lack of usage of spin was evident with the number of overs bowled by spinners of both teams. While England spinners bowled 265 overs in the series, Indian spinners rolled their arms for 216 overs despite playing two spinners in four Tests. However, the hosts managed only 13 wickets at 72.46, while the visitors picked up a wicket more, averaging 55.50.
“Coming back to the topic of spinners not being used, I have felt in this series that there has been a lack of game awareness and, in many ways, our tactical acumen — both on and off the field. This is the main reason why England are ahead in this series and India are behind. We haven’t been the sharpest. And when you miss the right moment to introduce spinners in these conditions, they become a defensive option.” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat.
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India have bowled 76 overs in the second innings so far, with pacers sharing the maximum workload. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep have been relentless, bowling 26, 22, and 20 overs, respectively. On the contrary, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have bowled only eight overs, with both bowling four overs each. In the first innings, Jadeja bowled just two overs out of the 54, with Sundar getting no chance to roll his arm.
“When Harry Brook started taking it on, after 20 runs, you could have brought on the spinner to choke the run flow. From the other end, a pacer could have bowled. With all this in mind, Washington Sundar could have been introduced earlier into the attack. Making these mistakes creates a huge gap. We don’t know whether the message is going from outside to the middle. We don’t know what’s being discussed in the dressing room. But in today’s day and age, these mistakes can definitely be avoided,” Ashwin added.
Resuming Day 4, England lost a few early wickets, reducing to 106/3 in chase of a 374-run target. However, Joe Root’s record-breaking 39th Test hundred (105 off 152 balls) and Harry Brook’s (111 off 98 balls) statement century have put England in a match-winning position. They shared a brilliant 195-run stand, setting up England’s second-highest run chase in Tests and the highest at The Oval. Despite the duo’s departure, England are favourites, with only 35 runs to seal the win, with four wickets remaining.
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