'Keep Root on strike' - Cheteshwar Pujara reveals Ravichandran Ashwin's tactics against Joe Root

With his 100th Test for India on the horizon, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has ignited anticipation and introspection within the cricketing community, contemplating his memorable journey. Among those admiring the spin maestro, his long-standing teammate and close friend, Cheteshwar Pujara, shed light on the veteran spinner's tactical ingenuity in an exclusive column for ESPNcricinfo. India will be playing England in the final Test at Dharamsala, commencing on March 7.

For Ashwin, reaching the 100-Test milestone is a culmination of years of dedication and excellence. However, in the middle of commiserations, Pujara revealed a fascinating insight into Ashwin's strategic approach, especially when confronting a batsman of Joe Root's calibre.

“If you look at his record, Root has always been a proactive batter, he will either try to play the sweep or reverse sweep, or try to rotate the strike so he doesn’t have to face six balls off any particular bowler. I’m not saying that Root doesn’t defend well, but overall, his game plan is to put bowlers under pressure,” Pujara wrote.

Also read: Sourav Ganguly praises 'all-time great' R. Ashwin ahead of 100th Test

'Ash wants Root to defend' - Cheteshwar Pujara

Ashwin has already dismissed Root seven times in Tests, with the Englishman managing to get the better of him only in Vizag and Ranchi. With over 500 Test wickets already, Ashwin will be looking to add to his tally against one of his favourite opponents. 

According to Pujara, Ashwin's ploy against the proactive Root is to keep him pinned down at the crease. Pujara wrote in his column, "Ashwin’s tactic has been to keep Root on strike by taking out the short leg or other close-in fielders, leaving just one slip, and placing a fielder at square leg to prevent the single."

"It doesn’t matter whether you are playing on a flat pitch or on a turner, Ash wants Root to defend those six balls and see how he reacts. Even on a slow pitch, where the ball might not carry to slip, I have seen Ash keep a short third and a deep point just to block Root or any other batter who plays the reverse-sweep. It is a battle of wills between two top players, which makes for an engrossing contest,” he added.

Also read: Stuart Broad questions Cheteshwar Pujara's absence from Indian team

Pujara discussed the complexities of playing Ashwin, "With the loop and drift Ash can generate, you have the task of overcoming an opponent whose mission is to scramble your mind and make you commit mistakes," the cricketer wrote.