South Africa vs India: Ashwin might get majority of the wickets, predicts Irfan Pathan

Veteran Indian pace bowler Irfan Pathan recently made a bold prediction on the ongoing Centurion Test between India and South Africa. Pathan believes that the ace Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, could end up bagging the most number of wickets in the match. Well, if the prediction comes true, it will be a big surprise for many. There are no doubts about the abilities of Ravichandran Ashwin.

But the very fact that the track in Centurion has always been a fast bowler’s paradise. There is absolutely very little assistance from the track for the spinners at the venue. In fact, there were also speculations that the Indian team could go ahead without a frontline spinner for the game. Having said that, it is worth noting that the track for this particular game is slightly unusual.

There seems to be dry grass on the surface and the liveliness, which the fast bowlers fancy, is not much available. It is perhaps because of this reason that Irfan Pathan believes Ravichandran Ashwin has the chance to bag the most number of wickets for team India in the match. Combine this with the efforts of the Indian team on the day, one could actually see the prediction going right.

Ashwin provided the first breakthrough for the team when he dismissed Dean Elgar. In all fairness, that wicket belonged to the fielder Murali Vijay who held on to the catch. Ashwin also accounted for the dismissal of the other opener, Aiden Markram, on 94. Later, he sent Quinton de Kock packing for a golden duck.

Earlier in the day, the Indian team selections were under the scanner for the surprise exclusion of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, their most successful bowler from the Cape Town Test. It will be worth seeing how the Indian bowling fares up in his absence in this particular game. A lot would depend on Ashwin to get the work done in one of the most unfavorable conditions.

Here is what Irfan Pathan tweeted:

“Looks like Ashwin might get the majority of the wickets #INDvsSA,” tweeted Irfan Pathan.

Looks like Ashwin might get the majority of the wickets #INDvsSA

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 13, 2018

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