Each time he went wicketless, he returned stronger, often finishing as the leading wicket-taker in subsequent games or series
Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, is known for his sharp variations and wicket-taking abilities. However, there have been times when Ashwin went wicketless on home soil, a rarity that surprises fans and analysts alike. In home Test matches, Ashwin has gone wicketless ten times, but he did not bowl on two occasions. Despite his consistency, even the best have off days. Let's look at specific instances across various series where Ashwin's bowling didn't yield a single wicket and analyse his overall performance in each match.
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In the third Test between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, Ashwin bowled 14 overs but failed to claim a wicket, conceding 47 runs at an economy of 3.36. His wicketless spell was unexpected, especially in Mumbai's spin-friendly conditions. Daryl Mitchell's stellar 82 and Will Young's 71 powered New Zealand's total, but India's bowlers, including Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, compensated for Ashwin's off day. Despite his efforts, Ashwin couldn't find his rhythm. India ultimately dominated, thanks to Jadeja's five-wicket haul.
India secured a clean sweep over Bangladesh in the September Test series, showcasing Ashwin's resilience. In the first Test in Chennai, he went wicketless in Bangladesh's first innings, bowling 13 overs at a modest average of 2.23. However, he rebounded powerfully in the second innings, grabbing six wickets over 21 overs and conceding 88 runs with a 4.19 average. His all-round brilliance, including a century, earned him the Player of the Match award. Although Jasprit Bumrah had a slightly better bowling average, Ashwin's 11 wickets across four innings at an average of 19.26 placed him as India's standout performer.
Against England in Visakhapatnam, Ashwin went wicketless in England's first innings during the second Test. Bowling on Day 2, the seasoned off-spinner failed to make an impact, surprising fans given his usually strong record on home soil. Ashwin bowled 12 overs, conceding 61 runs with an economy of 5.08, struggling to control the run flow on a flat pitch. Fortunately, Jasprit Bumrah's stellar 6-45 helped India bowl out England for 253, securing a substantial lead. In the second innings, Ashwin bounced back to take three wickets, contributing to India's 106-run victory. He ultimately topped the series with 26 wickets.
Ashwin again went wicketless throughout the match during the 2019 Eden Gardens Test against Bangladesh, marking a rare occurrence. India's pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma has dominated the 1st innings, claiming all 10 wickets without needing Ashwin's spin. In the second innings, he bowled five overs and conceded 19 runs but failed to secure a wicket. India's pace trio wrapped up the game, winning by an innings and 46 runs.
Ashwin's next wicketless match came in October 2019, just before the world would change with COVID-19. Hosting South Africa for a Test series, India dominated in the third match at Ranchi. Ashwin bowled 12 overs in South Africa's first innings, giving away 48 runs with no wickets. With South Africa following on, he bowled another 10 overs, conceding 28 runs. India still triumphed by 202 runs, and Ashwin ended the series as the highest wicket-taker, with 15 wickets at an average of 25.26, showcasing his mastery over the series.
Ashwin's wicketless streak continued against Sri Lanka in Kolkata during the first Test at Eden Gardens in 2017. In Sri Lanka's first innings, he delivered eight overs precisely, allowing only 13 runs at a remarkable economy of 1.62 without a breakthrough. Surprisingly, he didn't get to bowl in the second innings. Although the match ended in a draw, Ashwin emerged as the series' leading wicket-taker, securing 12 wickets across 5 innings at an average of 29.91, reinforcing his position as India's spin spearhead. This performance underscored his ability to recover quickly from brief lulls.
