The last time India toured South Africa, Ravichandran Ashwin was held responsible for not being able to bowl India to victory on a fifth day pitch in Johannesburg that got better to bat on instead of deteriorating. As a consequence, he was left out for the next six Tests as India's fortunes continued to fluctuate before blowing up in Manchester. He was also omitted from the side that nearly pulled off an improbable heist in Adelaide, for Karn Sharma. When that cycle of overseas tours came to a close in Sydney, the off-spinner had 119 wickets in 24 Tests, averaging in excess of 30.