Ashwin's leg-spin ploy could extend to Tests

The success of Ravichandran Ashwin's radical Indian Premier League leg-spin experiment could extend to the Test arena, according to Kings XI Punjab teammate Aaron Finch.

One of the most effective off-spinners in Test history, Ashwin vowed to add a new dimension to his game ahead of the IPL and has followed through in the Kings’ first two games by tactically switching to wrist-spin, mainly to right-handers.

Despite their loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday, the innovative ploy paid off when, the ball after dismissing left-hander Quinton de Kock with an off break, Ashwin had the right-handed Sarfraz Khan caught at slip with a leg break.

India, the International Cricket Council's No.1 ranked Test side, have a huge 12 months ahead of them in the longest format with a five-Test tour of England set to be followed a by a Test series in Australia next summer.

And given the initial success Ashwin has had at his new caper in T20 cricket, Finch believes there's no reason why he couldn't try it in Tests too.

"The way he's landing them, the confidence he's delivering the ball with and the shape that it's coming out of his hand, there's no reason why he wouldn't give it a go," Finch told cricket.com.au.

"It's hard to say - for a guy who's got that many Test wickets, why would you change what you're so good at? But give everything a go I guess – he's landing them here in such a high-pressure situation against very good players of spin. 

"I think it will be something you see in time in Test cricket."

The added variation could help Ashwin erase the only major blot on his Test resume – his record abroad.

On the subcontinent, he's a menace; 263 of his 311 Test scalps have come in Asia at an average of 22.75. He's less effective elsewhere; in 15 Tests outside Asia, he's taken 48 wickets at 40.97. In Australia, where foreign spinners admittedly typically struggle, his bowling average balloons out to 54.71.

Ahead of the IPL, Ashwin explained that while he'd occasionally bowled leg-spin coming through club cricket ranks, he'd largely ditched them as he focused on perfecting his stock off-spinner.

Having since become the fastest man to 300 Test wickets, eclipsing Dennis Lillee's long-standing record in November, the 31-year-old has been able to gradually add to his variations. 

"I used to bowl good leg-breaks with my off-spin action when I was playing league cricket in Chennai," Ashwin said in February. "Over a period of time, in a search to get my stock ball right, I obviously had to cut out a lot of those things. 

"I had possessed a lot more variations. Having bowled off-break as the stock ball for almost 10 years, trying to change things around is challenging. 

"But I don't really settle for anything. At no point in my career, I thought 'this is it' and decided to settle for the rest of my career."

Finch admits he's been taken aback by Ashwin's drive to continue adding to his repertoire.

"It takes you a little bit by surprise for a guy who has got so many Test wickets and been so successful, at his age to be looking to improve so dramatically," the Victorian said.

"It's such a great example to be set for the younger players as well - to never be content with what you're good at, always be looking at ways to adapt to a game that's always changing.

"He's got amazing control with it, for a guy who's only been doing it - I think he's been practicing for the best part of 12 months - It's an unbelievable skill to have."