Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged greater accountability from India's batting lineup as the second Test at Edgbaston begins on Wednesday. In the first Test at Headingley, India lost by five wickets, despite scoring five centuries over two innings, as England successfully chased a record target of 371.

Prior to the second game, Ashwin addressed the audience on his YouTube channel, praising the batsmen's efforts but wondering if the runs they had scored had a decisive impact on the match. Considering how vulnerable India's lower order is in the current situation, he exhorted India's top order to set greater goals and extend their innings farther.

"It's time for batters to accept accountability." I'm aware that batters are scoring. We did have five centurions, but where are the daddy hundreds? We must accept that the lower order will not contribute with the bat. Our pace bowlers are unable to bat and are unable to score runs, Ashwin stated.

In recent series, India's team selection strategy has prioritized batting depth, frequently favoring all-around players like Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, or Washington Sundar. Although it provides a safety net on paper, the reliance on bowlers to make a significant contribution with the bat has frequently failed under duress. In Headingley, the Indian lower-order resistance was almost nonexistent, leaving the responsibility for scoring runs solely on the top six.

Ashwin wants more from bowlers

Not just the hitting is frustrating. The rest of the bowling attack was unable to keep things under control or maintain continuous pressure, although Jasprit Bumrah stood out in the first innings with a five-wicket haul. Ashwin stated that the support bowlers should make greater efforts to enhance Bumrah's threat from the opposite end.

"In trials, I believe maidens are severely undervalued. Ideally, Bumrah would have a higher economy rate, but others should have a lower one. In one episode, someone claimed that Siraj was unfortunate to not be among wickets. "The economy rate, you can't let go and hope that things fall in place," he stated, even though he conceded that his bowling was excellent in the second innings.

With both the batting attitude and bowling discipline under intense scrutiny, India is behind 0-1 in the five-match series and is up against some difficult selection choices at Edgbaston.

Read Also: Experts Warn: India’s ‘Illusionary All-Rounders’ Strategy Could Backfire, Proven Stars Needed Now

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