R Ashwin praises Jasprit Bumarh, explains why home advantage has gone missing in IND vs ENG Test series | Cricket News

R Ashwin has called Jasprit Bumrah’s effort “extraordinary” in the series so far and while lauding the efforts of youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill also explained why India are not enjoying the home advantage in the ongoing Test series.“The real show stealer is BoomBall,” Ashwin said on his Youtube Channel.
“We saw a little of Jaisball also. Jasprit Bumrah has bowled extraordinarily, being the leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets. He is also the latest number-one Test bowler in the world. A big congratulations from my side. I’m a big fan of him. This achievement is an Himalayan feat.”
The two-match series is evenly-poised at 1-1 with the next Test, starting from February 15 in Rajkot.
“In 2005, when England and Australia were playing the Ashes, I was following it with a lot excitement. This time, I’ve played in a series but I still have the similar feeling of following a series. We entered the fourth day of this Test match in an extremely even Steven. Extraordinary vibe, energy and outstanding team performance made us equal this series 1-1 as of now. Now it’s a break, we have got our holidays like how the school kids get theirs,” he said.
On England’s Bazball approach, the veteran spinner said: “I would talk about England’s game, their mental space and everything after the five matches get over. I don’t want to get into the intricate details right now.”
England’s captain Ben Stokes celebrates with teammates after taking the catch of India’s batter Shreyas Iyer during the third day of the second Test match between India and England, at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, in Visakhapatnam. (PTI)
On home advantage
Ashwin is a wicket to from reaching the remarkable feat of 500 Test wickets, explained why in this series, there are no home advantage for the home team and said most of the Indian cricketers had never played a Test or first-class match at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam.
“There’s never been a marquee Test series like this in five such venues before. In 2017, we played Tests against Australia in Ranchi and Dharamshala. However, in that series, the other venues were Pune and Bangalore. Usually, if there are 4-5 match Test series, at least one or two happen in metro cities,” he said.
“Unlike that, this time, it’s happening in venues that weren’t a part of the World Cup matches. For most Indian players themselves, these venues are new. There are a lot of players playing in our own team who have not played a test match or a first-class in the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium. I am not sure if this is possible in any other country. In India, it is possible because there are so many test venues here.
ndia’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates with Rohit Sharma and teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Tom Hartley to win the second Test. (Reuters)
“If you take the case of England. For example, in this Test series, Tom Hartley made his debut. If Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed are playing a Test match in England, they can never say I’ve not played in Lancashire ground or Worcestershire ground. In fact, the matches never happen in Worcestershire. They cannot say that they have never played in Surrey Oval because they would have played. Not just the county matches, but even the Test matches there happen in these venues.
“But in India, because there are so many venues, even for Indian players it’s the first time they are playing a test or even a first-class match in these venues. So the home familiarity has gone missing in these cases. Of course, they would have played IPL, T20 or ODI matches here and there. But in playing red ball in a longer format, the familiarity really makes a difference,” he explained.
On Jaiswal and Gill
The off-spinner showered praise on the youngsters Yashsavi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, whoscored double century and a century in the second Test.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal’s enormous growth. He scored a double-century. In fact, he came down and hit James Anderson towards the extra covers and got out after a double century. He got out for James Anderson in both the innings.
India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill after the end of play on the first day of the first cricket test match between India and England, at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, in Hyderabad. (PTI)
“Shubman Gill has secured his hundred in the second innings of the Vizag Test. There is no need to reiterate the fact that he is a fantastic player, but this knock has justified the kind of armoury he hold,” he said.
Meeting Pujara
The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) will felicitate both Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara for their contributions to Indian cricket, and making both state and country proud with their achievements.
Pujara is only the thirteenth Indian player to enter the elite 100-Test club and Jadeja is a proven match-winner for India across formats and is currently ranked No.1 in ICC Test all-rounder rankings. Both local boys will be honoured during the ceremony for unveiling the new name of the SCA Stadium on February 14. The stadium will now be called the Niranjan Shah Stadium.
Nagpur: Saurashtra batter Cheteshwar Pujara plays a shot during the second day of the Ranji Trophy cricket match between Saurashtra and Vidarbha, at VCA Statdium in Nagpur, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. (PTI Photo)
“The Indian players have gone back home and will be reuniting for the next Test match in Rajkot. Rajkot is the home of Cheteshwar Pujara. A certified Indian legend who recently concluded his 100 Test matches. We’ll be playing in his place. Ravindra Jadeja, Saurashtra. The Rajkot stadium is his home ground, but he is from Jamnagar. Let’s wait and watch if Cheteshwar Pujara invites everyone to his home for dinner,” Ashwin said.
“Next Test is in Ranchi, thala Dhoni’s hometown. That’s the fourth Test. The final and fifth Test is in Dharamshala. It’s goona happen in that scenic ground,” he said.