Eng vs Ind: Would be really surprised if Ashwin does not play at the Oval, says ex-India pacer Nehra

By ANI

NEW DELHI: Former India pacer Ashish Nehra has said the Virat Kohli-led side should look to go in with Ravichandran Ashwin in place of a seamer as the fourth Test match against England is going to be played at the Oval.

The five-match series between India and England stands level at 1-1, and now the fourth Test would be played at the Oval, London, beginning this Thursday.

“Oval is known for a good batting surface. England is one place where conditions change every session. There are too many ifs and buts, at Oval, there is extra bounce but there is not much movement. You cannot use saliva these days so it might make it little difficult for the bowlers. In London, it has been quite cold, English conditions are hard to predict. But now this Test match is in Oval, there are more chances that we see Ravichandran Ashwin in place of one pacer, would be really surprised if Ashwin does not play at Oval,” said Nehra during an interaction with select media organised by Sony Network.

“We now have more tours of England, since 2011, it is our fourth tour. The conditions are challenging here, if you look at series since 2011, you have to agree that India has managed to give a fight, we could have won in 2018. For me, it is important how the team plays, it is possible that we win the series, it is possible that it ends 2-2, but I would not be surprised if England manages to win this series,” added Nehra.

Talking about Rishabh Pant, Nehra said: “See, somebody like Rishabh Pant or any international cricketer needs to change their game from time to time but they should not forget their strengths also. If you get out while defending or hitting a shot he is the same Rishabh Pant who won the Test match at the Gabba, once he crossed his fifty, he was playing his natural game and for the first fifty runs, he took his time. His way of batting, the kind of player he is and his style will always be a discussion point in Test cricket. Adam Gilchrist was also quite similar. He knew what his style was and he backed that and there were always discussions around him as well.”

“You have to give him time. You are talking about a guy who’s scored a hundred in Australia and England in tough conditions. When you talk about a wicket-keeper batsman he has already done wonders in the last 18-20 months,” he added.

With the score reading 215/2 at the start of the fourth morning, India would have hoped to continue the remarkable comeback they had started scripting on the third day of the third Test at Leeds on Friday. But it wasn’t to be as the England bowlers came out all guns blazing and wrapped the game up in the opening session itself on Saturday to register an innings and 76-run win.

“See, Virat Kohli knows his game. He has been successful in the same conditions, it is not easy in English conditions. If someone like Virat feels that he needs to avoid playing cover drive, he will do that. Virat Kohli has gotten out in slips, not while driving. It is not like Virat Kohli is going for a cover drive when the ball is not there, but you have to give credit to English bowlers,” said Nehra.

“England never allows any team to win easily in England. India also does not lose at home. That is why it is said that if you win away tours, it is a big achivement. Last 10 years, England has a bowler who utilises the conditions better than anyone else and that bowler is James Anderson. Any Indian batter will tell you how tough it is to face Anderson,” he added.

The 4th test of India’s tour of England will be live from 3:30 pm IST on SONY SIX & SONY TEN 3 (Hindi) channels from Thursday.