Ravichandran Ashwin Goes Wicketless in an Innings: A Rare Occurrence in Test Cricket

In a rare turn of events, veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin went wicketless in an innings during the ongoing Test match against England at Visakhapatnam. Known for his ability to pick up crucial wickets, especially in home conditions, Ashwin’s lack of impact with the ball came as a surprise to many cricket enthusiasts.

The 37-year-old off-spinner’s performance in the first innings of the second Test saw him struggle to find his usual rhythm on what seemed to be a placid pitch. Despite his best efforts, Ashwin remained unable to make a breakthrough, conceding runs and appearing out of sorts.

However, while Ashwin may have faltered on this occasion, his disappointment was mitigated by teammate Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar performance. Bumrah’s impressive figures of 6-45 played a crucial role in restricting England to 253 runs, giving India a commanding 143-run lead.

This rare instance of Ashwin going wicketless in a Test innings at home is only the eighth time it has occurred in his illustrious career. Out of these eight instances, there were two occasions where Ashwin did not bowl, emphasizing the rarity of such an occurrence for a bowler of his caliber.

The last time Ashwin went wicketless in a Test innings at home was against Bangladesh in November 2019, during a day-night Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. In that match, Ashwin did not bowl in the first innings, as the pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma did all the damage. In the second innings, Ashwin bowled just five overs, conceding 19 runs without taking a wicket.

Reflecting on his recent performance, Ashwin’s economy rate of 5.1 in this series has raised eyebrows, especially considering his impressive average of 16.6 in home Tests between 2022 and 2023. The off-spinner’s current average of 42.5 in the series highlights a dip in form, indicating the need for him to reassess his approach and regain his effectiveness.

Despite this setback, Ashwin remains a key asset for the Indian team, known for his ability to bounce back from challenges. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Ashwin as he looks to rediscover his form and make a significant impact in the remaining matches against England.

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