Data | Why R Ashwin's selection in the Test XI should be a no-brainer

Between 2018 and 2021, Ashwin has picked up 109 wickets, the second-highest among spinners

Even as the India-England Test series is delicately poised at 1-1 after three Tests, India's leading active wicket-taker . R. Ashwin's performance in matches played away from home has improved over the years and his recent record shows that he tops the bowling charts for spinners, with a lethal hold over left-hand batters in particular. With The Oval, the venue for the fourth Test, being better for spinners as the game goes on, and considering Ashwin's recent form, his selection in the XI should be a no-brainer. Between 2018 and 2021, Ashwin has picked up 109 wickets, the second-highest among spinners. In the same period, he has taken 39 wickets playing away from India, the fourth-highest. Among all Indian spinners who have played in England and picked up more than 10 wickets, Ashwin is one among six bowlers to have a strike rate of 75 or less. He also has the third-best average among all of them.