We can do a better job in second innings - Ravichandran Ashwin
Saving the fifth Test is becoming more difficult for India with each passing day, but off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin seems hopeful that the team will make a comeback in the second innings. He admitted that yesterday on Day 2, it wasn’t a good enough show from Indians but is certain that the Indian batting order can come back strong.
At the end of day 2, England had scored 385/7 in reply to India’s total of 148, giving them a lead of 237 runs.
Commenting on the day’s play, Ashwin stated, "The sun came out today and the pitch had flattened out a bit today. We toiled through the day and gave our best today. It is about confidence at the end of the day and also enjoying the game we all love so much. So, we were talking in the field today that we can do a better job in the second innings. Everybody has a bad day.”
Ashwin picked up two wickets in the post-lunch session as England slid from 191/1 to 204/4. Though it raised the hopes of Indian fans England held its fort well, led by a determined Joe Root.
Speaking on his much talked about bowling action, Ashwin said, "While I was out of the playing eleven, I have worked on my action a bit more. I am trying to get more side-on. I also try and stay as balance as possible and have been working at these small details.
"I try to be the best possible cricketer I can. I got a good spell in today though I did not really start too well. I felt like I was slipping and then I I came back in the lunch break. I looked at the videos and took some feedback on what I could be doing wrong and the speeds I bowled out there."
Appreciating the Innings played by Root, he said, "He (Root) is a hard competitor and I love to compete against him, and love to go against him again and again.”
Ashwin also had a word of praise for his fellow bowler Varun Aaron, on whom he added, "Varun Aaron was charging in throughout the day and he bowled quick. I think he was touching 90 all day long and that is what Test cricket is all about. Tomorrow he will come back and bowl another such spell."
Ashwin stressed the importance of confidence in the slip cordon while defending the Indian slip fielders who again had a shoddy day in the field.
"Confidence is the keyword here, as you catch more and more, you get confident. When you drop one you feel horrible. (Murali) Vijay put one down and then he caught one and he was so happy, that he almost wanted to throw the ball up. So we are working hard at slip catching and we are trying different options there. As a young team we are working at addressing this," he said.