Ravichandran Ashwin says spin has put India in 'comfortable' position against England in ongoing ODI series

India off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has said that spin has put the world champions in a pretty comfortable position against England in their ongoing ODI series. World champions India lead 2-0 with two matches left to play ahead of Tuesday's fourth ODI at Edgbaston. Spin bowling, which England has long struggled against in one-day cricket, has been key to India's success in the series so far.

Ashwin took three for 39 in India's six-wicket win at Trent Bridge on Saturday, a match where the tourists spinners had a combined return of six for 122 in 30 overs. Ashwin said that it is pretty comfortable for them, and added that it has been one of India's strengths, especially in the middle overs, they have always operated in that fashion. The spinner said that there are times when the batsmen get going and the Indian spinners are not able to take wickets. He added that those are really hard times but if they get a wicket or two and can put a hold on the batsmen then that's a comfortable domain for them.

It was spin that broke an England opening stand of 82 in Nottingham but India's preceding 133-run saw the breakthrough come from a double strike by paceman Mohammed Shami. Ashwin said that the ideal situation for the spinners to come in is when the opposition are two or three down and he explained that that is what happened in Cardiff when Shami bowled that spell. But, he said that if that doesn't happen one has to see how much of a restrictive role one is going to play because the batting team is going to have nine to 10 wickets in the bag.