cricket

Updated: Dec 18, 2016 16:17 IST

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will have no respite at the end of the England series as he will be pressed into service by Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Karnataka starting in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. (Live blog: Day 3 of Chennai Test)

“We want Ashwin and Murali Vijay to play. They are both keen to play” former BCCI president, N Srinivasan, who heads the state unit, said in an informal chat on Sunday during the final Test against England. (Live score: Day 3 of Chennai Test)

Both are playing in the Test, which is scheduled to end on Tuesday.

The leading bowler of 2016, Ashwin has been India’s main match-winner in the last two seasons. In the busy home season, which has featured eight Tests so far since September, he has bowled a massive 428.4 overs, taking 55 wickets. England are yet to play their second innings in the final Test.

Vijay too has played in all eight matches, scoring two centuries in the England series.

Srinivasan denied reports India players may be allowed to take a break and said Ashwin will make a dash to Dubai for a day after the Chennai Test as he has prior commitment to be present at the inauguration of an academy, but will return to play the game.

Vijay is nursing a bruised shoulder and did not bat in the top five as India responded strongly to England’s first innings 477 all out. Srinivasan was keen for the opener to prove his fitness ahead of the crucial Ranji match.

Ashwin, the world No 1 Test bowler, has bowled as many as 428.4 overs in the two home series against New Zealand (146.3 overs) and England (282.1 overs) starting from September, after featuring in four Tests in the Caribbean in July-August.