Ashwin plays down Chepauk pitch chatter: Same benchmarks need be set for seam and spin-friendly surfaces

[Gollum]

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India vs England, 2nd Test: Even as several former cricketers criticised the spin-friendly nature of the Chepauk pitch, R Ashwin said batting in challenging conditions is an art and batsmen need to stay patient to adapt to such pitches.

"When it comes to spin, unfortunately, people don't expect... they want conditions in their favour, driving, cutting everything needs to happen. But when it comes to a seaming wicket, you can't do all those when you start in the morning. I think the same kind of benchmarks need to be set when you play spin on a challenging pitch as well," Ashwin told reporters after India ended Day 2 with a 249-run lead in their bank.

"The only comparison I would say is if the ball is moving around in 140-150 clicks off the deck, that has to be more challenging than someone bowling at 85 or 90 kph when the ball is spinning. Clearly, the challenges are way greater when you come up against seam. It's just the same way when you play spin, you have to give it to the bowler, play time and then look to score runs. It's another form of art, that's it. As simple as that."

[Vilander]

Straight edge. Stew on that poms. 

[kruiser]

More than Rohit in the first innings, Ashwin has very effectively put crow in the faces of Pommy loudspeakers. The pitch is absolutely fine, if you know how to play on it. There is a very apt saying in Hindi - " Naach na aaye, aangan tedha "

[Jay]

Oh boy. Don't want to trigger the wrath of Ashwin. I am telling you know, if England want to have any chance, do not infuriate Ashwin or bumrah or even Kohli.