In a huge boost for Virat Kohli-led India, senior spinner R Ashwin has roared back to form ahead of the start of their five-match Test series against England. Ashwin, who is currently plying his trade for Surrey in the County Championship, ran riot with a six-wicket haul against Somerset to bundle them out for a paltry 69 runs in their second innings on Wednesday.
While the Indian team is currently on a break in the UK, Ashwin has decided to cut short his time away from the game and play county cricket. His decision to play for Surrey ahead of the England series was lauded by many. Though the spinner didn’t have a great start as he managed only one wicket while conceding 96 runs in his 42 overs in Somerset’s first innings, Ashwin bounced back in style in the second innings.
The willy off-spinner ran riot with the new ball to run through the Somerset line-up and finish with a six-wicket haul. Ashwin drew the first blood for his side by removing Somerset opener Steven Davies before removing Tom Lammonby and James Hildreth in quick succession.
The Somerset batsmen had no answer to Ashwin’s brilliance, who finished with stunning figures of 6/27 in his 15 overs to help Surrey fold Somerset for only 69 runs. Surrey had scored 240 in their first inning, in reply to Somerset’s first-innings total of 429 runs, and will have to chase down 259 runs to win the game.
Ashwin’s great form heading into the England series is a positive sign for Kohli-led India, who will be kicking off their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with the five-match Test rubber against Joe Root’s men. India had lost 4-1 in the Test series on their last tour of England and will be hoping to script history this time around by defeating the hosts in their own backyard
