R Ashwin continued his purple patch in Test cricket and delivered a Player of the Match performance in the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh in Chennai. The veteran player contributed in both departments. In the first innings, Ashwin played a vital 113-run knock to take India to a total of 376.
After going wicketless in Bangladesh's first innings, Ashwin bounced back and took a six-fer in the second innings. Ashwin has been a regular in India's playing XI in home conditions since his debut and has never been dropped. In fact, he has never lost his place in the Test team since 2011.
Ashwin is now a one-format player and is likely to end his career as India's highest wicket-taker in Tests. Former England spinner, Monty Panesar has shared his take on Ashwin and said that he would have been dropped if he was an English player.
"They experiment more. If Ashwin was English right now, then they would have told him to retire because they want to bring youngsters who have the potential to play. But I think England experiments more, and they like to experiment," Panesar told IANS.
Panesar and Ashwin shared the field in the India-England Test series in 2012. The visiting side pulled off a heist by defeating India 2-1 in the four-match Test series. Panesar played a key role in England's win and he scalped 17 wickets in 3 Tests. Ashwin dismissed 14 batsmen in the series.
Ashwin is now gearing up for the second Test of the series, scheduled to start on September 27. Following the Bangladesh series, India will host New Zealand in a three-match Test series. After the NZ series, India will fly to Australia for a five-match Test series.
Ashwin has often been dropped from the playing XI in SENA countries and he could once again sit on the bench in Australia. Ravindra Jadeja could be the sole spin-bowling all-rounder in the playing XI against Australia.