R. Ashwin Criticise England Following Heavy Defeat in Perth Test

Ravichandran Ashwin criticised England in the Perth Test, saying the aggressive style became reckless and cost them the match.

Ravichandran Ashwin criticised England after their heavy defeat in the Perth Test, arguing that their aggressive style crossed into outright recklessness. England were dismissed for 172 and 164 despite gaining a 40-run first-innings lead. Ashwin questioned how far England could stretch their high-risk approach. He noted that several dismissals came from needless attacking shots even with boundary riders in place.

Ashwin then compared this pattern to similar habits he has seen among India’s younger players and urged greater awareness of match situations. He added that England’s batters failed to support their bowlers, who had worked hard to reclaim momentum on day one.

“I am actually thinking, where will the bandwidth of the word ‘reckless’ remain? If you keep putting everything into that bandwidth, how reckless can even reckless get? I don’t want to take names of players. Even in the Indian team, there will be many next-generation players who, the fielders are back on the boundary, yet they take the chance, they hit lofted shots,” Ashwin said.

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“As a batting group, how reckless can you be? Because on Day 1, you were knocked out for 172, you lost five wickets for maybe 20 runs. After that, your bowling attack wrestled the initiative back, gave you a 40-run lead. Your first job as a batting unit is to give your bowlers enough rest,” he continued.

Rahul (Dravid) bhai always said, give your bowlers overnight rest and see how your bowlers respond. Today, they came and cleaned up the last wicket. The England bowlers, I am sure, would have wanted to put their feet up, and in no time they were back on the park looking to defend 200 [205], which is paltry,” he added.

Head’s 123 Off 83 Ends England’s Fightback

In the match, England managed only 67.3 overs across both innings despite scoring quickly, with Harry Brook making 52 and Gus Atkinson adding 37. Their inability to stay at the crease allowed Australia to control. Travis Head’s quick 123 off 83 balls sealed the eight-wicket win, while Mitchell Starc claimed a 10-wicket match haul and earned Player of the Match. The series now moves to Brisbane for the second Test on December 4.