On Christmas Day, Ravichandran Ashwin played a crucial role in preventing an embarrassing defeat for India in the second test match against Bangladesh with his 42-run knock. India, chasing a tricky target of 145, stumbled to 74/7 before Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer guided the team to victory. Ashwin not only showcased his batting prowess but also finished the game with 6 wickets, delivering a match-winning performance.
Undeniably, Ashwin is recognized as one of the greatest red-ball bowlers. His proficiency as a capable batter is also well-established. Amidst the routine brilliance displayed in his cricketing career over the past decade, it’s easy to overlook the extent of Ashwin’s all-around talent and the rarity of having such a diverse skill set in a single cricketer.
From an IPL find to a test bowler par excellence, Ashwin entered the Indian cricket setup after an impressive 2010 IPL season with the Chennai Super Kings. Initially viewed as a white-ball “novelty spinner,” his years of experience in the Ranji Trophy, coupled with a sharp cricketing mind, led to instant success in the longer format after his debut in 2011.
In his 88 test matches, Ashwin has bowled 3929 overs, averaging nearly 45 overs per game, and has taken 449 wickets at an average of 24.3, with a strike rate of 52.5. Particularly outstanding is his record in the subcontinent, where he has claimed 362 wickets in 60 matches at an average of 21.44. Ashwin’s bowling brilliance is attributed to his meticulous study of the game and constant innovation.
With nine player of the series awards, second only to Muralidaran’s 11, Ashwin has established himself as a dominant force in world cricket with his off-spin, arguably becoming India’s greatest test match bowler.
Comparing him to legendary Indian spinners like Bedi, Chandrashekhar, Prasanna, Venkatraghavan, Harbhajan Singh, and Anil Kumble, Ashwin has not only followed in their footsteps but arguably eclipsed them. Despite unlikely to surpass Kumble’s wicket tally, Ashwin boasts a superior average and strike rate. His batting prowess is evident with 3043 runs, including five centuries and 13 fifties, at an average slightly above 27.
Ashwin’s batting intelligence, combined with grit, is notable, especially when batting lower down the order. In challenging situations, he has showcased his class with crucial match-winning or saving knocks both in the subcontinent and abroad.
Ashwin’s record stands out when compared to other all-rounders in test cricket history. Among the eight bowlers with more wickets than Ashwin, he has the highest batting average, and his five centuries set him apart. He reached 400 wickets and 3000 runs in 88 games, making him the second quickest after Richard Hadlee. His achievements surpass those of legendary all-rounders like Shaun Pollock and Kapil Dev.
In conclusion, Ashwin’s rarity lies not only in his mastery of bowling but also in being an above-average batsman, placing him comfortably among the highest echelon of cricket players.
