4 Indian Players who are on their last tour of Australia

4. Ravichandran Ashwin

R Ashwin on the decline on overseas tours

Batting record

Matches -65, Innings – 93, Runs – 2361, Avg – 29, 100s -4, 50s-11

Bowling record

Matches – 65, Innings – 122, wickets – 342, 5 wicket haul – 26, 10 wicket for the match -7

Ashwin has an outstanding record both as a batsman and as a bowler at home. But, his effectiveness as a bowler on overseas conditions has diminished drastically over the years.

Ashwin as a bowler at home

Overs – 1919, Wickets – 234, Avg – 22.69, 5 wickets – 29, 10 wickets -6. S.R – 49.21

Ashwin as a bowler away from home

Overs – 1142, Wickets – 108, Avg -31.40, 5 wickets – 6, 10 wickets -1. S.R – 63.49.

R Ashwin did contribute to India’s win in the first Test at Adelaide by claiming six wickets. But, his consistency, both as a batsman and a bowler, has dipped on overseas tours. Besides, on overseas tours, India normally prefer only one spinner in the playing XI and Ashwin is no more the automatic number one choice with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav around.

Ashwin is 32 and has played 65 Test matches within a short span of seven years which has a telling effect on his body. In the Test series in England, Ashwin struggled with niggles which prevented him from giving his best at the bowling crease.

Again here in Australia, Ashwin played the first Test match at Adelaide and got injured thereafter. At this rate, Ashwin would be struggling to remain fit on long and wearisome overseas tours. Ashwin is unlikely to figure in the team on India’s next tour of Australia.