India’s bowling coach Bharath Arun said that English batsmen are “wary of Ravichandran Ashwin’s abilities” on tracks with “assistance” but a call on the senior off-spinner’s inclusion will only be taken on Thursday morning ahead of the fourth Test.
“Ashwin, no doubt, is one of the best bowlers we have and its unfortunate that he has not played so far but if there is an opportunity and if we feel that he is going to fit into the scheme of things, they will definitely both be bowling in tandem,” Arun said when asked if both the spinners can fit into the playing XI at Oval which aids spin bowling.
However, Arun hinted that English batters’ circumspect way of handling Ashwin may lead to a change in nature of the track along with fickle English weather playing its part.
“History at the Oval says that it aids spin but you also know how the Englishmen are wary of Ashwin’s abilities of what he could do if there is any assistance from the track.
“The best thing would be to decide after looking at the track tomorrow morning as anything could happen between now and tomorrow. So we look at it tomorrow morning and decide.”