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Ravichandran Ashwin’s century against a weak West Indian bowling line-up has been the most discussed topic in the sub-continent this week, after Virat Kohli’s double ton of course.
While most of the top-order batsmen like Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane failed to score against one of the most harmless bowling attacks in the world, it was Ashwin’s determined and patient innings alongside skipper Kohli that won accolades.
In doing so, Ashwin even equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most number of centuries scored against the Caribbean nation, which currently stands at three.
Indian fans are excited about the new batting talisman, ‘Ashwin should continue to bat in the middle order’ chants have already begun all over the country.
But is he that good in other challenging conditions, as he has proven himself to be in the Indian conditions, and most recently in the West Indies?
Well, he does have a technique which is way better than other lower order batsmen around the world, but would his technique come good enough in seaming conditions like England, New Zealand and Australia?
If he continues to bat in the middle order, maybe yes or maybe not, the answer will be clearer if we do a statistical breakdown of his home and away batting records.
Statistical breakdown
Ashwin has scored three centuries and six half-centuries in a Test career that spans 33 matches so far. Moreover, his tally of runs stands at 1317 from 49 innings at an average of 33.77, which sounds good for a number eight.
However, when we look at his home-and-away records, he averages 39.33 with the bat when he is playing at home, but the average takes a steady downward slope to just 29.00 when he bats overseas.
Two of his three Test centuries have come in home conditions, but just one from away Tests i.e. the most recent against West Indies.
However, two of his six half-centuries came in challenging Australian conditions, during India’s last tour down-under. He registered 50 and 62 batting at No.8 when the Indian top-order failed to score.
Even his 124 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata was testimony to his temperament as a batsman. So there is no doubt about the tough-natured and determined approach as a lower order batsman he has, but the question is how consistent he can be as a middle order batsman?
It is too early to call him a pure all-rounder as he hasn’t proved himself completely in overseas conditions yet. It will require a series of good performances in away matches before he can prove himself a genuine batsman.
The impact of Ashwin’s centuries
Ashwin’s first Test century turned out to be crucial for India, as they went on to save the match from the jaws of defeat against the West Indies in 2011.
An innings of 103 at No.8 after the big names of Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman had failed to contribute, was a turning point in Ashwin’s career as an all-rounder.
It would take another couple of years for Ashwin to score his next hundred, which turned out to be a match-winning one at ‘The Mecca of Indian Cricket’ – Eden Gardens – in Kolkata. However, it wouldn’t have been possible without Rohit Sharma who played a sensational knock of 177 on his Test debut.
Sharma dominated the 280-run partnership with Ashwin who played a supporting role with his 124. While Ashwin played the second fiddle, it was Rohit who took the attack to the opposition.
The latest century came when Ashwin was promoted into the top-7 for the first time in his career and he took full advantage of it. But, one should not forget that it came against one of the weakest bowling units that West Indies have ever fielded.
Ashwin is one of the better lower order batsman, but worth as a middle order batsman?
If we look at his career carefully, there isn’t a noticeable innings he played in overseas conditions which can testify his tag of being a pure batsman.
One may argue with this fact, on the basis of the aforementioned tour of Australia, but even bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar have scored half centuries in England against trying conditions.
He has a good technique as well; so should he be promoted at the top of the order? No is the answer folks.
Even Stuart Broad scored 169 against Pakistan at Lord’s in 2010 as England went on to win the match. But, has he gone on to bat at the top of the order after that innings six years back?
The answer is no. He is still a lower order batsman and hasn’t produced any noteworthy innings since then.
Even Wasim Akram once scored an unbeaten 257 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhpura in 1996. Has he gone on to bat at the top of the order for Pakistan in the coming years? The answer is, once again, a big no.
Although it looks like Anil Kumble will test him further in this new batting position for the upcoming Test series, India’s plan of playing one batsman short to make room for an extra bowler may misfire in away matches if Ashwin doesn’t do well with the bat.
India certainly doesn’t need another Irfan Pathan, whose career was jeopardised as a result of a forceful conversion into the pure all-rounder role.
He lost the bowling prowess that he used to have, and after a series of injuries, he has lost pace and the penetration that he used to offer in his peak.
So, what’s all the fuss about Ashwin?
Any bowler who can contribute with the bat down the order is a big bonus for a team, India should not throw that away by converting him into a middle order batsman.
There are other players who can fill the boots of a pure batsman and Ashwin can still contribute down the order.
However, that does not mean that Ravichandran Ashwin will face the same fate as Irfan Pathan if he continues to walk on that path. He can emerge as a key batsman for the Indian team in the future like Steve Smith did for Australia.
Nobody has seen the future yet; Ashwin is already an established bowler ranking in the top three in Tests at present.
Too much concentration on batting may affect his bowling form. He has done a good job for India lower down the order and he should continue to do that as India can certainly do without ‘Ashwin the batsman’.
In fact, what India needs the most is ‘Ashwin the Bowler’.
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