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Ravichandran Ashwin
Former wicket-keeper batsman Kiran More hailed Ravichandran Ashwin and acknowledged the off-spinner as a valuable all-rounder for the team. The 34-year-old off-spinner, who is just eight wickets short of his 400 Test wickets, scored his fifth Test century on Day 3 of the second Test match against England. The hosts were reeling at 106 for six, but Ashwin joined hands with captain Kohli and partnered for 96 runs.
Ashwin has become the second cricketer after Ian Botham to accomplish a hundred and five wickets in the same match. This was his first century at his home ground, along with a match haul of nine wickets that helped India win the second Test.
This could be the era of successful off-spinners: Kiran More
Ashwin's ton was his first fifty-plus score in three-and-a-half years. However, retired batsman Kiran More opines that the drop in his batting form was temporary. More stated that it might have been due to his focus on bowling as the spinner has added more variety to his arsenal. The Tamil Nadu player has smashed 16 half-centuries so far which include five centuries. He averages 28.23 with the bat in Test cricket and has 394 scalps to his name. More mentioned that there is a scarcity of off-spinners and while everyone goes crazy over wrist-spinners, this could be the era of successful off-spinners.
Kiran More named the Indian off-spinner and Nathan Lyon as the best longer-format spinners in the world.
England gave themselves a chance of making the WTC finals by defeating Sri Lanka 2-0 away from home. However, their task will now be cut out against India as they require a 3-0 or 3-1 series win to improve their current PCT of 67. On the other end, India is currently second on the table with 69.7% PCT after defeating England in the second Test. The Indian team needs 70 points from the series against England, which they get if they win by a margin of 2-1. Anything higher than that will also guarantee a spot for them in the final.