Five reasons why Ravichandran Ashwin bowled so many variations in the second ODI against West Indies

Improve in flat tracks

Ashwin has struggled to remain effective on batting-friendly conditions

If there is one criticism of Ashwin it is that he doesn’t affect the game as much in tracks that aren’t conducive to spin bowling. In the longest format of the game, despite all his success, his record outside Asia still isn’t great. While that isn’t always the case in ODIs where he has shown he can deliver in England and Australia, he still isn’t as effective on flat tracks.

As was the case in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final against Pakistan, which was a road, that offered nothing for the spinners, Ashwin simply couldn’t make much of an impact. While finger spinners in general aren’t as effective on tracks that don’t offer too much spin, wrist spinners aren’t as reliant on conditions.

That is perhaps one of the reasons why Ashwin was trying more leg breaks and variations as that might help him remain relevant on roads. With limited-overs cricket increasingly being played on flat tracks, it would certainly help his cause and the team’s as well, if he can play well on flat tracks.