"India have one fast-bowler lesser" - R Ashwin's huge statement on visitors' chances ahead of Day 4 of ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Former all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin weighed in on India's chances of winning the fifth Test ahead of the fourth day's play. England ended the third day on 50/1, needing 324 more runs to win. Ashwin noted that the visitors have one bowler less, which would make the first session all the more important.

The former cricketer highlighted how England had chased down 371 runs in the first Test, and that could play on India's mind. Should the hosts bat for the entire first session on Day 4, Ashwin feels the game could lean towards them. For the visitors to win, he asserted that they must bowl England out before tea. He stressed on the importance of the fast bowlers and their performance in the first session.

Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep will have vital roles to play.

"It will be on India's mind because England chased at Headingley. But the difference is India have one fast bowler lesser. So the first session, in that spell, Prasidh, Siraj, and Akash Deep will have to try and get a couple of breakthroughs at least. England will bat the whole session and get 100-120 runs as industry standard. Then the game all of a sudden looks like being in a balance. With only three fast bowlers, their first spell, and probably one of their second, will be out of the way. Then this game will slightly lean towards England. So we have to give less runs and take wickets. England will have to be bowled out before tea," he explained. (6:36) (via Ash ki Baat)

Reflecting on what the hosts could do, Ashwin stated that the pitch has gotten better for batting with the heat. Should sunlight persist and England take a heavy roller before the fourth day's play, the batting conditions would be great.

However, he added that one of their top three batters would have to get a hundred if they were to win. Zak Crawley was dismissed for 14 on Day 2. Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 34 and would be joined by captain Ollie Pope as the fourth day begins.

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India's seamers will have to do the damage, says Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin expressed that the fifth Test would likely end on the fourth day. Talking about India's bowling, he reckoned that the fast bowlers would have to do all the damage and the spinners would have only a small role to play.

"This game will end tomorrow and it will be on the terms of fast bowlers. If it does not end tomorrow and goes to the fifth day, then maybe spinners will come into play. But if India wants to win this game, the seamers will have to do the damage. Maybe spinners can give some control if someone gets tired. But even for England, fast bowlers bowled even if they were tired. They did not go to spinners," he said. (10:52)

The series has been extremely competitive, with both teams having fought hard. Ashwin highlighted that both teams have found ways to get back into the game at all times. The visitors crawled their way back on the third day with a brilliant batting performance to set England a target of 374.

He added that the hosts are capable of making a comeback as well. However, the former all-rounder said that a draw would be a justified result for the hard work that India have put in throughout the series.