IND vs Eng 3rd Test: ‘They cheated everyone’ – R Ashwin is surprised by shift in England’s perspective. Cricket news
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has dug up a light but fast on England’s batting approach on the day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s. The veteran India off-spinner was surprised, like many fans, Ben Stokes’ side walked away from his aggressive ‘Bajball’ style and chose a more alert way instead. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin jokingly said England “cheated everyone” who expected to attack cricket. Instead of his normal free-flowing strokeplay, England batted at a very slow pace, scoring for about three runs. “It was a good day for England,” Ashwin started, “but everyone believed that they would continue with Bajball. What we saw was prankball. His run rate fell, and he looked more defensive than expected.”
Ashwin, who played several Tests against England, said that he cannot understand the change in mindset. He also accepted the hundred of Joe Root as a day standout performance. “I have said earlier that the root scoring run is very important for England. And when it was needed, he distributed. The knock was a reasonable lesson that how to play Test cricket. The route is back,” he said.
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On the field, Route’s brilliant 104 helped England reach 387 in their first innings. Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling with five wickets. In response, India finished day 2 for 3 at 3 at 3, KL Rahul was playing positively despite a finger injury at one end and Rishabh Pant.
