"Is this question being asked?" - Ravichandran Ashwin's massive statement on Ben Stokes after England conceded Ashes 2025-26 series to Australia

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned Ben Stokes' ability to play spin following his dismissal against Nathan Lyon in the third Test of Ashes 2025-26 series in Adelaide. The former off-spinner questioned whether Stokes' struggles against off-spin is being worked upon by the coaches.

Lyon, Australia's premier spinner, knocked over the England captain for 5 in what proved to be a decisive moment during the visitors' run-chase of 435 in Adelaide. Although England fought exceptionally well, they fell 82 runs short and went down 0-3 to lose the Ashes.

Ashwin, who has dismissed Stokes 13 times in Tests, highlighted that pace and spin needs to be approached differently. He argued that a batter must get to the pitch of the ball to play spin. Ashwin told a journalist in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel:

"Ben Stokes has been dismissed by off-spinners for as long as I’ve bowled and seen. Is this question being asked? He is fabulous player with the right attitude. You cannot play spin as you play fast bowling . You can’t do so on the top of the bounce. The theory of playing spin is to get to the pitch of the ball. But fast bowlers, who generate lateral movement. can be played with some adjustment. You are not going to be troubled by getting out lbw. There are two things. You are watching the ball out of the hand."

The 39-year-old also asserted that batters like Stokes and Ben Duckett rely on sweep or reverse sweep because their technique against spin is flawed. He explained:

"The moment you do, you pick the line and try to defend it. You’re not picking what it’s doing and instead get to the ball. The primary aspect of spin is getting to the ball. If you don’t get to the ball, you are going on the backfoot and looking to score. I’m watching many western players like Ben Stokes, Ben Duckett and Aiden Markram sweep or reverse sweep because their defensive technique is wrong against spin. It’s not being addressed."

Stokes notably averages merely 21.89 against spin since 2024. In 32 innings in that period, the all-rounder has fallen on 19 occasions to spin.

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"These things are not technical, it’s tactical" - Ravichandran Ashwin on key to success in Australia

Ravichandran Ashwin. (Image Credits: Getty)

Ashwin iterated Virat Kohli's example when he tasted success in Australia. He claimed that the legendary batter would have his stance closed and side-on to ride the bounce well. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer elaborated:

"The moment you open the shoulder, you don’t have the shoulder climbing with the bounce. But coaches also say the shoulders are very closed. When Virat Kohli got runs in Australia, he would have made that extra effort to stay closed and side-on . The moment you are closed and your bottom hands take over, that is always dangerous because the top of the bat will turn and take the edge. But these things are not technical, it’s tactical."

The 106-Test veteran added:

"Ben Stokes fought extremely well. He was distraught when he got out to Nathan Lyon. Ben Duckett also got out to Lyon in similar fashion. Very good deliveries, quality bowler. Quality spinners will bowl those deliveries that hits the top of off."

England are notably winless in their last 18 Tests Down Under.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava