R Ashwin has it in him to be India's top spinner on foreign tracks provided he becomes a little more flexible and curbs his aggressive instincts when the situation demands, feels former England off-spinner Graeme Swann.
Ashwin is currently warming the bench after failing to find a place in the India's playing XI for the ongoing second Test against England here.
"I think he should have been playing here (at Lord's). He hasn't bowled enough overseas to be judged yet. When you're used to bowling in India it is not easy to adjust quickly to bowling overseas," Swann told 'bcci.Tv'.
"I'm sure Ashwin can bowl really well outside India because his record in India is fantastic. And if he can do it there he can do it anywhere," he said.
Ashwin, who has 104 wickets from 19 Tests, last turned up for India in a five-day game in December 2013.
Asked if his problem lay mainly in curbing his naturally aggressive approach even when asked to play the role of a container, Swann said, "I think you have to be flexible throughout the game. During certain parts of the match you have to be defensive in England. On the fourth and fifth day, you are just thrown the ball and you go on an all-attack mode."
"On the initial couple of days, I wouldn't be attacking much. I'd still be trying to take wickets but in a very different way. I'd want a short leg, a deep midwicket and a catching midwicket because you know the batsman will try to hit you straight or flick you and you could get catches there.
