With India on the verge of a series loss in the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, former Indian spinner R Ashwin has slammed India's tactics ahead of the final day of the fifth India vs England Test at the Kennington Oval.
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Ashwin feels that India's tactical acumen has been off, as they allowed the opposition to reach a commanding position to win the decider.
England ended day 4 at 339/6. With 35 runs needed, England appear to be in a commanding position; however, with just 4 wickets required for India, the game is set up for a blockbuster finish.
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Ashwin questions India's lack of game awareness in Test series vs England
Harry Brook and Joe Root stitched a magnificent 195-run stand to take away the game from the visitors on Day 4 of the fifth Test. Both the Englishmen brought up their centuries as the duo took on the Indian bowlers in a counter-attacking partnership.
A late comeback from India in the final session gave the visitors an outside chance heading into the final day.
Ashwin reacting to India's tough day out on the field, was not happy with India's decision to use Washington Sundar very sparingly in the Test match, while Brook and Root found it easy against the pacers. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said:
"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."
Spinner was used for the first time in the second innings in the 43rd over, when Washington Sundar came into bowl a spell that lasted just 2 overs. Brook and Root, once set, were looking very comfortable against the pacers, but skipper Gill decided to stick to them.
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"I feel Shubman Gill will get really better as the captain. He will learn. But sometimes if you feel that you can play spin really well, you will not bring spinners into the attack, and when you miss the moment to bring the spinners in these conditions, then the spinner becomes a really defensive option. You can't make such mistakes," Aswin added.
India should have used Washington better
R Ashwin criticized India for not bringing in Washington Sundar earlier in the game. He stated that had Sundar been brought on earlier, he would have provided some more control and created pressure on Harry Brook, whom he had dismissed twice in the series.
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"When Harry Brook started taking it on, after 20 runs, you could have brought on the spinner to choke the run flows. From the other end, a pacer could have bowled. With all this in mind, Washington Sundar could have been brought earlier into the attack," said Ashwin.
India have used just 8 overs of spinners in the 76 overs that they have bowled in the final innings at the Oval. Even in England's first innings, India used just two overs of spin from Jadeja, while Sundar did not bowl.
"Making these mistakes is a huge gap. We don't know whether the message is going from outside to the middle. We don't know the dressing room talks. But in today's day and age, these mistakes can definitely be avoided," Ashwin added.
India are currently in a timid position as England requires just 35 runs with four wickets in hand. As the Test match heads for its final day, fans would hope for a miraculous display from the Indian bowlers.