Pakistan’s cricket team has been facing difficulties, with back-to-back disappointing performances. After losing a Test series against Bangladesh at home, they’re now preparing to play against England.

These poor results have drawn criticism from many, with experts saying that changes are needed quickly. On the same day, Ashwin shared his thoughts on the situation, noting that Pakistan once had some of the best cricketers and that it’s sad to see the team in this position now.

Watch the video below:

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Their whole musical chairs situation is truly something: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin also spoke about the frequent changes in Pakistan’s cricket captaincy. He compared it to a game of musical chairs, where it feels like anyone can just take the role.

He said, “The whole captaincy situation is like musical chairs. The music keeps playing, and someone new just grabs the chair. They lost in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar stepped down, Afridi was made captain, then Babar came back for limited-overs, and Shan Masood was given the Test team. And despite all this, Pakistan hasn’t won a Test match at home for a long time, maybe around 3 years, about 1000 days.”

With Babar Azam stepping down again from the limited-overs captaincy and Pakistan struggling to win, they will now focus on the upcoming matches. Their Test series against England starts on October 7 in Multan.

Offspinner R Ashwin has rejoined the Indian team in Rajkot on the fourth day of the ongoing third Test against England. He had left the city after play on the second day because of personal reasons and missed the third day’s play entirely.

He returned to the field at the start of the third session, with England 18 for 2 in their chase of 557.

The day had begun with positive news for India, with the BCCI announcing Ashwin was on his way back to Rajkot. “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pleased to announce the return of R Ashwin to the squad after a brief absence due to a family emergency,” it said in a statement. “Both R Ashwin and the team management are pleased to confirm that he will be back in action on Day 4 and will continue to contribute towards the team’s cause in the ongoing Test match. Ashwin and his family kindly request privacy as they navigate through these challenging times.”

Ashwin was available to bowl as soon as he took despite having spent an entire day off the field. The umpires can waive the requirement of penalty time if they feel the player was off the field for “other wholly acceptable reasons, which shall not include illness or internal injury” according to the playing conditions.

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Ashwin had taken his 500th wicket in Test cricket on the second day of the Rajkot Test and attended the press conference after play. It was only at 11pm IST that the news of Ashwin having left the team became public via a statement from the BCCI.

The third day’s play had begun with England on 207 for 2 in 35 overs in response to India’s first-innings total of 445, with opener Ben Duckett batting on a hundred 133 at more than a run a ball. India, however, fought back despite Ashwin’s absence, taking eight wickets for 112 runs on the third day to secure a first-innings lead of 126.

India’s batters had extended that to 322 for the loss of only two second-innings wickets by stumps on the third day, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 104 before retiring hurt with a back niggle and Shubman Gill unbeaten on 65. India further strengthened their grip on the Test by taking their lead to 556 before declaring during the second session of play.

Always trust Ravichandran Ashwin to spring something out of the ordinary. Shortly after the 1st ODI ended with India picking up a five-wicket-win over Australia in Mohali to take a 1-0 lead in the series, Ashwin made heads turn when put strapped up those batting pads, put on his helmet and scampered out to bat in the middle of the ground in a late-night practice session. In a highly unusual sight, Ashwin got the nets out and began batting at one of the pitches even as head coach Rahul Dravid turned fielder and took his position at square leg. Ashwin’s post-match stunner left Mark Waugh and Abhishek Nayar, part of the broadcasting panel, absolutely flabbergasted. Both the former cricketers hailed the off-spinner’s ever-so-determined attitude.

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With just 15 days to go for the World Cup, it comes as no surprise that Ashwin is conjuring every possible effort to ensure he is part of the India squad, which mind you, can be tweaked no later than September 28. After bowling an economical spell of 1/47 off his 10 overs, picking up the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, the 37-year-old Ashwin rushed in to hone his batting. In accordance with the recent patterns observed in the team management’s decisions, it is evident that they prioritise having players in their lineup who can contribute with both bat and ball. And Ashwin, boasting five Test centuries and one ODI fifty, aligns perfectly with this strategic approach.

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“How cool is that? He is batting right in the centre, he’s got a net out. And that’s where the support staff really works hard. It’s past 10, it’s late and they are still going. He’s got Rahul Dravid at square leg, Vikram Rathour at slips, Mark Waugh at fine leg, so it’s a terrific part of the preparation. I’m sure the management has told him to work on his batting,” former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar said.

This isn’t the first real sign of Ashwin’s eagerness to bat. A day after he was recalled into India’s squad for the Australia ODIs, Ashwin turned out in a local league match organised by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. Representing the Take Solution MRPA, Ashwin walked out to bat, a testament to his top-notch commitment towards the game.

“It’s a great opportunity for me. I have always said over the last 3-4 years that it’s not about what I want to achieve in these opportunities. I just want to enjoy myself, give myself the best chance. When I went back from West Indies, I took a break, played a few club games. The team management has kept me in loop and told me to just stay ready whenever there is a chance. I was just touching base with my fitness. Started bowling a few sessions,” Ashwin said in a BCCI video after his return to India’s ODI set-up.

“I want to bring something different to the table so I have been working on some angles because one-day cricket is not just about spin anymore. It’s more about the angles, the usage of the crease, its depth. I’m trying to put myself in a zone of discomfort, to try and push barriers as always because for me what comes first is the pride of my performance and what best abilities and talent I can showcase.”