I would love to credit Rathore: Ravichandran Ashwin

Amid the chatter around the challenging Chepauk pitch, Ashwin came in at number eight and showed everyone how to bat on a deteriorating surface with an excellent century

Chennai: Seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Monday credited the Indian team’s batting coach Vikram Rathour for his fiery performances with the willow in recent times.

Amid the chatter around the challenging Chepauk pitch, Ashwin came in at number eight and showed everyone how to bat on a deteriorating surface with an excellent century, putting India on the brink of a series-levelling victory in the second Test against England here.

“I can’t say it’s been happening in the last three days, I have been practising with Vikram Rathore. I would love to credit him with how my batting has come through over the last four-five matches,” Ashwin said at the end of the third day’s play. This was after his gutsy show with the bat in Australia, where he stood his ground despite hostile fast-bowling by the home team. He was glad that he shone so bright in front of his home crowd.

“I don’t know when the next Test is going to be here, but I am pleased. Don’t know if I will play another Test in Chennai, and if at all, when…” Ashwin’s number eleven companion Mohammed Siraj celebrated the senior player’s fifth Test hundred more than the man himself, who had got to a century in the company of Ishant Sharma in the past.

From the other end, Ashwin enjoyed watching Siraj strike a couple of sixes. “In the past when, he’s (Ishant) been with me when I got hundreds at home and once Siraj came, I knew how to approach. “I was thrilled for his batting and told him to go through the line of the ball. It was amazing to see how excited he was when I got my hundred.

After the defeat in the series-opener, the team management discussed ways to counter left-arm spinner Jack Leach, according to Ashwin, who was happy that the sweep shots came through well. “I will sleep well through the night, that is all that I am thinking.

“Even after the last Test, we spoke about how we are going to counter Leach and probably bring sweep to the game. Last time I was sweeping, I was 19 years old, I hit a bit of sweep shots well today. I am thankful the plan has paid off.”

‘We never complain of green tops overseas’

Meanwhile, debutant slow left-arm bowler Axar Patel feels that critics of spinner-friendly tracks need to change their mindset as Indian cricket team has never complained about tackling seamer-friendly green tops overseas.

“If you are talking about pitch, I don’t think any ball hit the helmet. There is normal spin on offer. We are playing on same track and scoring runs, so I don’t think anyone should have any problems and feel that wicket is like this or that and so on and so forth,” Axar said.

“Also when we go overseas, we never complained while playing on seaming track and complained that there is more grass on the wicket. I think people need to change their mindset rather than thinking about the wicket,” he said at the end of third day’s play.

Axar explained that on this track, one needs to hit the deck hard in order to make use of the turn on offer. “On this wicket, there is help for spinners so you don’t need to do anything extra,” he said. “When you are putting a bit more effort and body into the ball, then you are getting the ball to spin. When you are hitting the deck hard, then only you are getting the ball to turn.”