Ravichandran Ashwin Calls Out Double Standards as Ashes Teams Lose 19 Wickets 

In the Ashes opener's first day, 19 wickets fell, four more than the 15 wickets lost on the second day of the India-South Africa Test.

Ravichandran Ashwin Calls Out Double Standards as Ashes Teams Lose 19 Wickets 

R Ashwin slammed critics, following 2025-26 Ashes opener. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

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Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin slammed global cricketing voices, including former players and critics, for their double standards. Ashwin noted that the outrage about the pitch in the Ashes opener has been limited, in contrast to the outrage that followed the India-South Africa Test.

Australian and English bowlers breathed fire on the opening day of the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes, at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Fast bowlers had a say on the surface, as it provided plenty of bounce and pace. The visitors opted to bat first, but could only manage 172 runs in 32.5 overs. Harry Brook finished as top-scorer with 56 runs, while Ollie Pope contributed with 46 runs, and Jamie Smith with 33 runs. 

None of the other English batters could hold their ground, with ace Australian speedster Mitchell Starc running riot with an incredible seven-wicket haul in his 12.5 over spell. As England’s ‘Baz-Ball’ approach proved ineffective, the home side also struggled to score runs and finished the day on 123/9, trailing by 49 runs. Ben Stokes picked up a five-wicket haul, while Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse scalped two each. 

Batting seemed tough on the Perth surface, similar to the one at the Eden Gardens, where India lost to South Africa by 30 runs earlier this week. The pitch in Kolkata was criticized for being a rank-turner, as the match only lasted two and a half days and only one batter managed to score a fifty throughout. Ex-England players like Michael Vaughan even labelled the pitch as ‘awful’, while accusing the Indian team of having an obsession with spin-friendly surfaces, advantageous for the home side. 

However, with 19 total wickets having fallen on the first day of the opening Ashes Test, R Ashwin took note. The former spinner shared a GIF with ‘double standards’ written on it on social media, while questioning critics for their selective criticism about Indian pitches. He added the outrage would be different, should a similar thing happen in India’s second Test against South Africa in Guwahati.

Not only R Ashwin, but former India keeper Dinesh Karthik also echoed a similar sentiment, calling out the difference in the narratives about the surfaces at the two venues. Ex-India all-rounder Mohammad Kaif surprisingly added that the quality of batting in Test cricket might have dipped.

Ravichandran Ashwin predicts two changes in India’s playing XI for Guwahati Test

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, speaking ahead of the second Test match between India and South Africa at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, predicted the playing XI. The home side are already 0-1 down in the two-match series, having lost the opener in Kolkata by 30 runs. 

R Ashwin on India playing XI
R Ashwin suggested two changes in India’s playing XI for South Africa test. (via News 18)

Indian captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck spasm while batting on the second day at Eden Gardens, as a result of which he had to retire hurt In his absence in Guwahati, vice-captain Rishabh Pant will be leading the team, with it being his very first assignment as skipper of the national side. The Indian team management is also in search of the no. 4 batter, with Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal in the ranks. 

The Men in Blue have also recalled all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, after he was earlier released from the squad for him to play for India ‘A’. R Ashwin suggested two changes in the playing XI for the second Test, with Sudharsan for replace Gill, and Reddy for Axar Patel. On his YouTube show, Ashwin exclaimed that given India already has three spinners in the playing XI, with the need for a fourth option reduced.

I feel Sai [Sudharsan] will come in the place of [Shubman] Gill and Nitish [Reddy] for Axar Patel… I am not saying it is a huge mistake but if you have more spin options, you can get confused in contemplating giving spinners more chances.

Meanwhile, South Africa are not expected to bring changes, for the second Test against India. However, Corbin Bosch could be rested, for Lungi Ngidi to take his place, while the Proteas could go with another spinner in the form of Senuran Muthusamy, and a batter in Dewald Brevis.

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