R Ashwin doesn't ask for spinning wickets, he has added pressure to deliver on such tracks: Gautam Gambhir

Ashwin is under more pressure to deliver on spinning wickets: Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir has defended off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s potential, claiming he does not ask to prepare spinning wickets deliberately. Like several home Test series, Ravichandran Ashwin has shone in the ongoing rubber against England too – both with the bat and ball. Instead, Gautam Gambhir believes that there is extra pressure on the veteran to deliver on turning tracks.

"From that point of view, I do agree with Yuvraj Singh, but from the point of view that had they played on these kinds of pitches, probably not. Because see, wickets have been the same for everyone. Ashwin doesn’t ask for these kinds of wickets, it’s the team management that asks for it. And when you prepare such wickets, Ashwin is under more pressure to deliver," Gambhir said on the 'Runorder' show on ESPNCricinfo when asked if he agrees with Yuvraj's tweet.

"Yes, wickets are different today but DRS today plays a huge role. Had there been DRS when Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh was bowling, Kumble would have gone to 1000 wickets and Harbhajan would have got around 700 wickets because DRS plays a massive role especially in India where there are lot of inside edges, or bat pads and stuff," Gambhir added.

As many as 30 wickets fell inside 2 days as India took a 2-1 lead in the 4-match Test series by defeating England by 10 wickets in the Ahmedabad Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Very recently, Ashwin had counter-questioned an England journalist who wanted hto know his views on the pitch debate. "Who defines what a good surface is? Ashwin had asked. In the same press conference he had asserted that people should get over the talks about surface and should just hope for a good cricket match.