'Not sure that is possible in any other country': Ashwin points out challenges with venues for IND vs ENG Tests

Ravichandran Ashwin has said that India are not enjoying the usual home advantage that they generally have in the ongoing Test series against England. The five-match series is currently level 1-1 with visitors England winning the first Test at Hyderabad and India emerging victorious at Visakhapatnam. The next three matches are at Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala.

None of the Test matches will be played at traditional venues like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore or Chennai and Ashwin has said that most of the Indian players have not played at these venues, making it challenging for the current unit.

“There’s never been a marquee Test series like this in five such venues before. In 2017, we played Australia in Dharamashala and Ranchi and then Pune and Bengaluru. Usually, if there is a 4-5 match Test series at least one or two happen in metro cities,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“Unlike that, this time it’s happening in venues that weren’t part of World Cup matches. For most of the Indian players, these venues are new. There are a lot of players playing in our team who haven’t played a first-class or Test match in Vizag stadium.

“I’m not sure that is possible in any other country. But possible in India as there are so many Test venues. So the home familiarity goes missing in these cases. Of course, they would have played IPL, T20 or ODI but in red ball, the familiarity surely makes a difference.”

The veteran spinner, who is just one wicket away from 500 Test wickets, also lavished praise on Jasprit Bumrah who helped India make comeback at Visakhapatnam by taking nine wickets and also jumped to the No 1 spot in ICC Test rankings, replacing Ashwin.

Bumrah is the first pacer from India in history to become world No 1 in Tests.

Ashwin called this a “Himalayan” feat.

“The real show stealer was BoomBall. Jasprit Bumrah has bowled extraordinarily. He is the leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets and also the No.1 ranked Test bowler. The first India fast bowler to achieve number one across all formats. I am a big fan of his and this is a Himalayan feat,” Ashwin said.

He added India’s positive attitude on the fourth day of Visakhapatnam Test helped the hosts level the series.

“We came into the fourth day with it all being even-stevens. But our extraordinary vibe, energy and team performance helped us level the series 1-1.”