Is Ashwin really good enough to bat at #6 in test cricket?

[SecondSlip]

I know that Ashwin's role in the team is that of a bowling-allrounder whose bowling alone merits his place in the starting XI, but is he honestly good enough to bat at #6 on a long term basis in the test team? I know that we are playing 6 batsmen in the current test match but with Kohli being a fan of the 5 bowler theory, I see Ashwin reclaiming his #6 spot sooner or later. 

Ashwin's batting averages are as follows: 

16 v Aus 
36 v Ban 
46 v Eng 
35 v NZ 
23 v SA 
15 v SL 
56 v WI 

Basically, the only 2 teams he averages over 40 are WI and Eng. He has scored only 4 centuries and they all came against WI who are basically minnows at this level. Poor numbers against strong bowling attacks like Aus & SA, he is struggling even in the current series. Can we really trust Ashwin at #6 overseas as well? Will he be able to handle the second new ball in SA, Aus, NZ, Eng? I don't think so! 

In my opinion, I believe that Ashwin is being overburdened by coming to bat at #6. I don't think his fitness is good enough to bowl 20-30 overs per innings and then play a long innings with the bat consisting of 3 figures. I have also read in a few articles that he is battling sports hernia, I really hope that it has no connection with this! 

I don't know about you guys but I won't feel comfortable if India is 100-4 at Melbourne/Johannesburg against a fired up Starc/Rabada and the next batsman coming out to bat is Ashwin followed by Saha. 

Edited May 26, 2017 by SecondSlip

[Sidhoni]

No he isn't but he is better than Saha so has to come above him. 

[King Tendulkar]

Number 7 is perfect 

 

is he better then Saha ? Not sure he is 

Edited March 18, 2017 by King Tendulkar

[chewy]

Nope

 

ridiculous that he comes in before Saha

[vvvslaxman]

He is not a proper batsman. Start treating him like one will give us long term issues. 

[mancalledsting]

Doesn't have fitness to be an all rounder- he'll have less pressure coming down the order and can provide late order cameos 

[Ultimate_Game]

Ashwin should bat no higher than 7 and ideally at 8. Number 6 should be for a proper batsman a la DeKock. You can't expect Ashwin to pile on runs for us consistently given he's our no. 1 bowler as well.

[puneet28]

This is the problem with Indian team management. Once a bowler starts doing good with bat, we expect him to do same in every match and make him play higher in batting order. Same thing was done with Irfan Pathan. Ashwin is good at no. 7 at best in tests only. We need a proper WKB at no. 6 or 7 and then can play Ashwin at no. 8 (if planning to play 4 bowlers only). Otherwise he can play at no. 7. He enjoys playing when the ball doesn't swing much or has decent pace and bounce to come on to bat. He is not good on turning tracks.  

[rkt.india]

Most alrounders who batted at 6 do average in 30s.

[BeautifulGame]

1 hour ago, rkt.india said:

Most alrounders who batted at 6 do average in 30s.

Not many all rounder have batted at no.6 regularly in the first place tbf

 

 

Edited March 19, 2017 by BeautifulGame

[Gollum]

He is a good enough batsman going through bad form, may be due to injury or fatigue, just like Kohli. Both will bounce back with vigor, let us stop doubting great players. 

[philcric]

#6 should not be considered in isolation, but along with #7 and #8. You have to factor in the cumulative contributions of #6,#7,#8 and even #9. So, 6-8(or even 9) averaging 30's is better than #6 averaging 40's and 7-9 are almost tailenders.

 

The point is instead of looking at a batsman or bowler in isolation, you have to see if the whole batting line up can score enough runs and if the whole bowling unit can pick up 20 wickets, consistently over a period of time, considering the different conditions, workload etc.

 

 

[Texy]

8 hours ago, Sidhoni said:

No he isn't but he is better than Saha so has to come above him. 

NO he is not

[Laaloo]

10 minutes ago, Texy said:

NO he is not

I still cant get over his statement of Tail starts after Nair  Some dhoni fans are still in denial.

[Sidhoni]

49 minutes ago, Texy said:

NO he is not

Well Kohli and Kumble disagree..

[speedheat]

Only if opposition is west indies

Otherwise he should be booted away to bat @,numb 9

[Gollum]

8 hours ago, speedheat said:

Only if opposition is west indies

Otherwise he should be booted away to bat @,numb 9

You missed his batting against England a few months back bro? 

[speedheat]

You missed his batting against England a few months back bro? 

But still brother I don't want him @num 6 saha should be there up batting ahead of him

[Gollum]

45 minutes ago, speedheat said:

But still brother I don't want him @num 6 saha should be there up batting ahead of him

I agree in light of recent form Saha merits a place at number 6, but Ashwin should come at number 7 or 8(depending on our combination). 

[Zero_Unit]

we need a proper allrounder. Ash is not it. Definitely sucks with the bat for a number 6.

Edited March 20, 2017 by Zero_Unit