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'For the first time I saw Ravichandran Ashwin bowl consistently well'

Last updated on: September 03, 2015 17:22 IST

'They (the Indians) are going to town about the five-bowler theory. Where are the five bowlers? There is only one bowler that we have'

Ravichandran Ashwin during a training session

IMAGE: India's Ravichandran Ashwin looks on during a training session. Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters

Bishen Singh Bedi has praised Ravichandran Ashwin for his consistent showing in the three matches but came down hard on the other bowlers.

"Ashwin did a very good job. For the first time I saw him bowl consistently well," said the spin legend, adding, "But, again, I would stress that the Lankans were a poor unit. I only saw one good knock from Angelo Mathews and that was it.

"They (the Indians) are going to town about the five-bowler theory. Where are the five bowlers? There is only one bowler that we have."

Ashwin finished with 21 wickets and was named the Player-of-the-series.

Amit Mishra during a training session

IMAGE: India's Amit Mishra tosses the ball during a practice session . Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

The left-arm spinner praised the Indian team but was cautious in his eulogy.

"Yes, this team looks good no doubt, but we need young wicket-taking bowlers. See bowlers like Amit Mishra; you can discuss in the present tense, but not in the future tense. It is a young man's game. But I don't wish to take anything away from him as he showed a fighting spirit while bowling and batting. Sadly, age is not on his side.

"This was a series where we had to groom and blood youngsters and we failed. And I am not willing to believe that we don't have young talent.

"First match, they played Harbhajan Singh; now the time is up for Mishra and Harbhajan."

Bedi also questioned the lack of a genuine all-rounder in the Indian team, saying talent spotting is not happening in national cricket.

"There is a massive question mark on (Stuart) Binny and the presence of an all-rounder in the team. Why did they keep Bhuvneshwar Kumar out of the side? Remember, you have won; it doesn't mean that everything is OK. You have got to be very pragmatic and realistic," added the spin legend.

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