Can Eager Pupil Ashwin Prosper Under Coach Kumble?

Similar career paths and similar questions asked off R Ashwin when he tours abroad, much like his coach Kumble. 

As Anil Kumble settles into his new role as India’s head coach, one member of the squad is sure to seek his counsel more than any other. Five years since he made his Test debut, 29-year old Ravichandran Ashwin, much like Kumble at a similar point in his career, is India’s leading spin bowler.

With 176 wickets in 32 Tests at an average of below 26, his bare numbers are collar grabbing. However, much like Kumble, Ashwin is confronted with a familiar narrative as soon as he arrives for a series away from home.

Can he be a weapon in unhelpful spin bowling conditions? Can he dissipate the theory that he can only prosper on abrasive tracks at home? Can he find a way to be a wicket-taking asset when the ball doesn’t spit and snarl off the surface?

In 13 Tests overseas, Ashwin has 50 wickets at a shade below 37. 21 of those wickets came in Sri Lanka last year, where he produced a man of the series winning performance, claiming his scalps at just a shade over 18 in India’s first series win in the country for 22 years. However, beyond Asian shores, Ashwin’s stats take a significant nosedive.

In six Tests in Australia, he has 21 wickets at nearly 55. In two Tests in England, he has just 3 wickets at almost 34. And he went wicketless in the only Test he played in South Africa, an outcome that cost him his place in the XI for subsequent overseas Tests with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Karn Sharma being preferred.

There is little doubt however that Ashwin will be among the first to be penciled for the series opener against the West Indies in Antigua starting on July 21.

He has shown encouraging form in the warm up game, taking 3/62, and more importantly bowling as many as 19.5 overs. Ashwin recognises that success on the slow surfaces likely to be on offer for the series will require oodles of patience.

I’m sure I’ll have to be as boring as possible in terms of trying to plug away all day long. Especially the first couple of days or probably even three days of the Test match, there is not going to be a lot in it for the spinners.

R Ashwin

Over the course of his decorated career, Kumble tackled the same conundrum. Though his 269 wickets in 69 overseas Tests came at a much higher average of 35.85 as opposed to the 350 he claimed at home in 63 Tests at just 24.88, as his career progressed, Kumble became a much more potent weapon overseas.

In three Tests on the 2003/4 tour to Australia; Kumble topped the bowling averages for India, claiming 24 wickets at under 30 runs apiece. He was India’s highest wicket-taker in a series win in the West Indies in 2006, picking up 23 wickets in the four Tests at 28.60. 14 wickets in England in 2007, second only to Zaheer Khan’s 18, played a key role in a first series win in the country since 1986. As captain on the rancorous tour of Australia in 2007/8, he finished as the leading wicket taker again, claiming 20 scalps.

In essence, Kumble diligently refined his craft to overcome the challenge of unfriendly conditions. Ashwin will know his challenge is similar. Wickets overseas will be earned with deception and perseverance and with Kumble watching every delivery he bowls now, Ashwin is latching on to every bit of input.

He has already started bowling in the nets, which is something I pick out notes from. So far, he has provided me with a lot of confidence and a lot of responsibility. It’s been more of giving me the license to try and express myself, which is something I really relish. We’ve had a very open chat and he has already told me what he’s looking forward to from me, and I have already told him what I’m looking forward to him teaching me.

R Ashwin

A bond is being forged between a master craftsman and an earnest pupil. Indian cricket will be counting on a positive outcome from the synergy.