[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket [Update@ Post# 1376]

[Ab Fan]

I am not diminishing Ashwin’s achievements but he is currently bowling to the worst players of spin bowling in modern era. Even Indian batsmen these days struggle against the likes of Moeen Ali who would have been murdered in the era Kumble bowled.

I agree 90s and 2000s were the toughest era for spinners because of a lot of great spin playing nations.

Ashwin is good, probably the best of his generation but still not completely an ATG.

 

[Ab Fan]

Anil Kumble's Series defining performances in SENA:-

1992 tour to South Africa
2003 tour to Australia
2006 tour to South Africa

 

[Sir Alex]

Helps to have an ATG pace attack around him. Murali didn't have it any time in his career barring Vaas. Warne was spoiled due to riches around him.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Helps to have an ATG pace attack around him. Murali didn't have it any time in his career barring Vaas. Warne was spoiled due to riches around him.

Very very good and underrated point. Also lot of great bowlers can't have better average because they lacked a good partner or support bowler.

Srinath being one. Shaheen at the moment.

 

[sharmaji]

I never understood why Ashwin is good. I can see that he gets wickets, but I have never been impressed with his bowling skill; it looks very ordinary and innocuous to me: not much spin, not many revs, not much flight, not much pace etc

For example, every other successful spinner has something visibly unique about them, like Murali, Warne, Saqlain, Vettori, Kumble, Harbhajan, Lyon, Yasir, everyone seems to have a strong flight or spin or pace or trajectory or something that you can pinpoint and say this is what makes the batsmen do mistakes and get out to. But what is it about Ashwin or what skill does he have that gets batsmen out?

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that he is among wickets and has been quite prolific in this series so far, but I don't know why he has been effective and that makes me less confident about him before the start of every match.

 

[carnish]

Ashwin's uniqueness is his variations.. he is able to do many different things in a subtle manner although he may not be as good in any of those skills per se compared to the names you mentioned

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

I never understood why Ashwin is good. I can see that he gets wickets, but I have never been impressed with his bowling skill; it looks very ordinary and innocuous to me: not much spin, not many revs, not much flight, not much pace etc

For example, every other successful spinner has something visibly unique about them, like Murali, Warne, Saqlain, Vettori, Kumble, Harbhajan, Lyon, Yasir, everyone seems to have a strong flight or spin or pace or trajectory or something that you can pinpoint and say this is what makes the batsmen do mistakes and get out to. But what is it about Ashwin or what skill does he have that gets batsmen out?

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that he is among wickets and has been quite prolific in this series so far, but I don't know why he has been effective and that makes me less confident about him before the start of every match.

You'll figure it out, I'm sure.

Of the spinners you mentioned:

Murali, Warne, Saqlain, Vettori, Kumble, Harbhajan, Lyon, Yasir,

He's arguably ahead of all except Warne/ Murali/ Kumble. And even compared to Kumble, he has a far better average and a far better SR.

In fact his SR is better than Warne or Murali or Kumble.

And he's played half of Kumble's matches!

 

[jnaveen1980]

I never understood why Ashwin is good. I can see that he gets wickets, but I have never been impressed with his bowling skill; it looks very ordinary and innocuous to me: not much spin, not many revs, not much flight, not much pace etc

For example, every other successful spinner has something visibly unique about them, like Murali, Warne, Saqlain, Vettori, Kumble, Harbhajan, Lyon, Yasir, everyone seems to have a strong flight or spin or pace or trajectory or something that you can pinpoint and say this is what makes the batsmen do mistakes and get out to. But what is it about Ashwin or what skill does he have that gets batsmen out?

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that he is among wickets and has been quite prolific in this series so far, but I don't know why he has been effective and that makes me less confident about him before the start of every match.

On the contrary he has more variations than any of the bowlers you have listed there. In a way that became his enemy. He didn't keep them simple. But when it comes to bowling absolute peaches, he is second to none. Check his dismissal of Amla in T20. Ball landed outside the leg stump and hit the off stump. Carrom ball.

 

[sharmaji]

I am not questioning his numbers or stats. I know he is good, better than most spinners. I am just wondering about his method/style/strength. Like Kumble has accuracy and flippers, what is Ashwin's strength that is unique to him that is getting him wickets, his USP you know?

You'll figure it out, I'm sure.

Of the spinners you mentioned:



He's arguably ahead of all except Warne/ Murali/ Kumble. And even compared to Kumble, he has a far better average and a far better SR.

In fact his SR is better than Warne or Murali or Kumble.

And he's played half of Kumble's matches!

 

[sharmaji]

I guess you're right. Maybe he has all the tools that any spinner has and uses them all whenever he wants. I know he bowls leg spin too, sometimes. But if I were to think of what is that Ashwin's ball that makes him special, I can't come up with any one thing. For example, I know he will get wickets, but I don't know HOW he will get wickets.

On the contrary he has more variations than any of the bowlers you have listed there. In a way that became his enemy. He didn't keep them simple. But when it comes to bowling absolute peaches, he is second to none. Check his dismissal of Amla in T20. Ball landed outside the leg stump and hit the off stump. Carrom ball.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I never understood why Ashwin is good. I can see that he gets wickets, but I have never been impressed with his bowling skill; it looks very ordinary and innocuous to me: not much spin, not many revs, not much flight, not much pace etc

For example, every other successful spinner has something visibly unique about them, like Murali, Warne, Saqlain, Vettori, Kumble, Harbhajan, Lyon, Yasir, everyone seems to have a strong flight or spin or pace or trajectory or something that you can pinpoint and say this is what makes the batsmen do mistakes and get out to. But what is it about Ashwin or what skill does he have that gets batsmen out?

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that he is among wickets and has been quite prolific in this series so far, but I don't know why he has been effective and that makes me less confident about him before the start of every match.

I asked my friend who is trained by Ashwin's coach himself.... Sunil Subramaniam.

My friend is a very very good offie and here's what he said:

--------

I watched 1st 3 days of the Melbourne test at the MCG from a wide mid off/ fine leg angle... very close to the boundary.. I saw him bowling from both ends.. the upper body and lower body was in sync... whilst varying pace, trajectory and line/length.. the synch between upper and lower body rotation helps in optimum/maximum weight transfer and becomes very effective in causing drift and dip...

when he is not in form his lower body rotates slightly slower (or at times quicker) than the upper body... especially when he is trying variations in speed, trajectory etc... thats when we see he kind of sprays.. and bowls the 1 bad ball an over which batsman wait for... Ash is best when he lands it at a spot for a series of balls through spells... and keeps making subtle changes to pace and trajectory...

-------

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

When I asked him is this sustainable, here's what he said:

-----

It is more fitness and concentration thing.. so as long as he maitains fitness and doesnt get desparate and lose concentration i think this will continue... i think he is on top now and the momentum is with him... so.. unless aussies attack him with success or not give him a wicket for his next 40+ overs.. he should continue the good form...

-----

 

[sharmaji]

Very interesting observation. Thanks for sharing.

I always thought Ashwin has a lot going on. It's like you go to a restaurant and they serve everything: South Indian, North Indian, Continental, Burgers and Pizzas etc. One doesn't know what is the restaurant known/remembered for.

I asked my friend who is trained by Ashwin's coach himself.... Sunil Subramaniam.

My friend is a very very good offie and here's what he said:

--------

I watched 1st 3 days of the Melbourne test at the MCG from a wide mid off/ fine leg angle... very close to the boundary.. I saw him bowling from both ends.. the upper body and lower body was in sync... whilst varying pace, trajectory and line/length.. the synch between upper and lower body rotation helps in optimum/maximum weight transfer and becomes very effective in causing drift and dip...

when he is not in form his lower body rotates slightly slower (or at times quicker) than the upper body... especially when he is trying variations in speed, trajectory etc... thats when we see he kind of sprays.. and bowls the 1 bad ball an over which batsman wait for... Ash is best when he lands it at a spot for a series of balls through spells... and keeps making subtle changes to pace and trajectory...

-------

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Very interesting observation. Thanks for sharing.

I always thought Ashwin has a lot going on. It's like you go to a restaurant and they serve everything: South Indian, North Indian, Continental, Burgers and Pizzas etc. One doesn't know what is the restaurant known/remembered for.

Haha yeah.

He doesn't have the body strength of Jaddu or Lyon so he can't do what they do.

His strength is his long fingers and subtle variations.

He probably realized his body wasn't allowing him to do what he wanted and worked on his fitness.

Ashwin with jaddu's body strength would have been something else lol.

I am interested to see how he bowls on that Sydney patta (first innings) and Gabba.

Hopefully doesn't lose his sync.

 

[Hasan123]

I asked my friend who is trained by Ashwin's coach himself.... Sunil Subramaniam.

My friend is a very very good offie and here's what he said:

--------

I watched 1st 3 days of the Melbourne test at the MCG from a wide mid off/ fine leg angle... very close to the boundary.. I saw him bowling from both ends.. the upper body and lower body was in sync... whilst varying pace, trajectory and line/length.. the synch between upper and lower body rotation helps in optimum/maximum weight transfer and becomes very effective in causing drift and dip...

when he is not in form his lower body rotates slightly slower (or at times quicker) than the upper body... especially when he is trying variations in speed, trajectory etc... thats when we see he kind of sprays.. and bowls the 1 bad ball an over which batsman wait for... Ash is best when he lands it at a spot for a series of balls through spells... and keeps making subtle changes to pace and trajectory...

-------

Fascinating insight. Thanks for this.

 

[King_Kohli]

 

[King_Kohli]

Ravi Ashwin gets David Warner out for the 10th time in Test cricket

 

[King_Kohli]

Ravi Ashwin's record against some of the finest left hand batsmen (innings):

David Warner - 10 dismissals (28).
Alastair Cook - 9 dismissals (27).
Ben Stokes - 7 dismissals (16).
Dean Elgar - 6 dismissals (17).
Tom Latham - 4 dismissals (7).
Kumar Sangakkara - 4 dismissals (4).

 

[andy0204]

Ashwin is beast against left handers and Lara is beast against spinners,Its a dream contest between these two.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Hasan123]

Ashwin has a brilliant cricketing brain. He knows how to work batsmen out and dismiss top class players.

 

[MenInG]

R Ashwin has shown why he is regarded as one of the best spinners in the world during the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia. After spinning a web around star Australian batsman Steve Smith, Ashwin has turned his eyes towards another important Aussie batter. Ashwin was instrumental in the first two Tests in keeping Smith quiet as he gave the batsman a lot of trouble with his variations. Smith managed to unshackle in the third Test as he hit a century.

Ashwin also has an enviable record against Australian opener David Warner. Ashwin again dismissed Warner in the second innings as he trapped the left-handed batter with a peach of a delivery. This was the 10th time Ashwin has dismissed Warner in Tests. It is the most he's dismissed any batsman in the longest format of the game.

Ashwin has taken 11 wickets in the series so far and is the second-highest wicket-taker in the three Tests played so far. Only Pat Cummins is ahead of him with 14 wickets.

After the end of day 2’s play, Smith said he was looking to put Ashwin under pressure after being at the receiving end of the India off-spinner’s guile in the first two Tests.

“I’m good, nice to spend a bit of time out there, nice to stitch in a partnership with Marnus. I wanted to put him (Ashwin) under a little bit of pressure which I haven’t done this series,” Smith said.

“I was just trying to hold the grip a bit tighter, I’ve been struggling, so I was getting into good positions today. I was good to get a couple of boundaries early. Marnus played well, hopefully we go along well tomorrow,” Smith added.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...ime-creates-a-new-record-101610175293039.html

 

[Saurav]

Looks like Smith and Labu have opted to attack him and it has worked so far

Will be interesting to see how he responds.We atleast need him to block one end and delay Indian batting as much as possible

 

[battler]

Looks like Smith and Labu have opted to attack him and it has worked so far

Will be interesting to see how he responds.We atleast need him to block one end and delay Indian batting as much as possible

Bumrah and Saini need to bowl around the wicket short stuff, Pure defensive line and let Ashwin attack from the other end. If Aussies want the runs quickly let them take risks

 

[Saurav]

Bumrah and Saini need to bowl around the wicket short stuff, Pure defensive line and let Ashwin attack from the other end. If Aussies want the runs quickly let them take risks

I think there's more chance of wicket with pacers than Ashwin atleast till Smith/Labu are there

We went at 3.5 rpo today.Ashwin 4.67.That needs to change

 

[Firebat]

Ashwin has bowled brilliantly this series, but I can't get past that run out from today. He was jogging an easy quick single meanwhile Jadeja is sprinting. Real backyard chacha cricket

 

[battler]

I think there's more chance of wicket with pacers than Ashwin atleast till Smith/Labu are there

We went at 3.5 rpo today.Ashwin 4.67.That needs to change

Yup. Just looked a broken team after that batting effort and injuries

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

He's gonna get thrashed black and blue tom.

And if he manages to escape that, he would have done well.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

After our batting performance, I didn't even have the heart to watch our bowlers bowl.

Can't imagine what it would be like for them.

No wonder our bowlers looked jaded today.

If Aus negotiate the first hour, they can pile on 350 runs with ease.

 

[Saurav]

He's gonna get thrashed black and blue tom.

And if he manages to escape that, he would have done well.

Surely should be able to hold one end

Maybe don't bring him early on till Smith/Labu are there

 

[battler]

After our batting performance, I didn't even have the heart to watch our bowlers bowl.

Can't imagine what it would be like for them.

No wonder our bowlers looked jaded today.

If Aus negotiate the first hour, they can pile on 350 runs with ease.

Somehow I felt this batting performance to be more soul crushing than the 36 all out. 36 all out was quick and happend before you could process anything.
And one always new that it was a one off performance and most likely will not happen again. But the performance today just brutally exposed the frailties of our batting which have become a long term problem

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Surely should be able to hold one end

Maybe don't bring him early on till Smith/Labu are there

He hasn't been that good with accuracy this test.

So I won't hold high hopes.

Hoping India pull a rabbit out of the hat but I think with jaddu's injury, they would be completely deflated.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Somehow I felt this batting performance to be more soul crushing than the 36 all out. 36 all out was quick and happend before you could process anything.
And one always new that it was a one off performance and most likely will not happen again. But the performance today just brutally exposed the frailties of our batting which have become a long term problem

No doubt.

36 was one off.

This was probably a series losing performance that would snuff the life out of our players.

 

[Saurav]

Somehow I felt this batting performance to be more soul crushing than the 36 all out. 36 all out was quick and happend before you could process anything.
And one always new that it was a one off performance and most likely will not happen again. But the performance today just brutally exposed the frailties of our batting which have become a long term problem

Batting has been problem for 3 years now.Its amplified now with Kohli not there

But team management hasnt made any changes after previous losses

We need to build a fresh one starting from Eng series

 

[battler]

Batting has been problem for 3 years now.Its amplified now with Kohli not there

But team management hasnt made any changes after previous losses

We need to build a fresh one starting from Eng series

I'm not sure if there has to be a shift in personnel or an attitude shift towards our batting where we are much more positive in our stroke play.
Mind you at home our batting is still formidable. It is only away from home that we are really struggling. Lack of confidence or lack of skills I'm not sure.

 

[ex-q-zit]

Ashwin's new video regarding Adelaide test

I would highly recommend everyone to watch Ashwin's new video on his youtube channel related to Adelaide and Melbourne tests.

It expalins although our coaching staff not boasting big names (barring Shastri) have a sane head on their shoulders.

The highlight was Shastri asking everyone to wear the 36 all out like a badge and that 36 will make the team great. What a great prophecy. It turned out to be true.

Another thing Shridhar mentioned was that when emotions are running high they dont react. Because you tend to make bad decisions when emotions run high. So they allow the emotions to die down. If there is anything that they need to tell a particular player they run it amongst themselves first and then depending on the player they give the right dosage in right amount.

Pakistan can take a leaf out of India. Big names are not needed as coaching staff. It requires people who know man management, have a calm head a passion for the game.

Its available with english subtitles for those who dont understand tamil. Eagerly waiting for the next episode related to sydney test and brisbane test.

 

[MenInG]

CHENNAI: The recently concluded India-Australia series reminded the world about the varied talents of Ravichandran Ashwin. He excelled with the ball, picking up 12 wickets and continuously troubling Steve Smith, and bat, with his unbeaten 39 in the second innings at a Sydney helping India to draw that match. He reflected on those achievements and spoke about what's next to select media on Sunday. Excerpts:

How are you shaping up after the injury?

It was looking good for the fourth Test, it looked like I would play. But there was an unfortunate turn of events. Even pool access was cut. The pool is an important activity in the recovery process. The physio also felt if the recovery process was in place, there was a good chance to play. It was a freakish injury. After that 1-1 draw, things took a U-turn. The way things happened in Sydney and Brisbane, we had to quarantine. Sometimes it was questionable. There was insensitivity around people commenting on why we were complaining. The rules were not such. It looked like off the beat. Being the tour it was, we buckled down and put on a good show.

What changed after the first Test? You were more involved and in the ear of the bowlers...

There was no considerable change. It could just be the requirement of the particular day. We had quite a bit of inexperience in the attack. (Mohammed) Siraj was making his debut. We were 36 all out and we presented ourselves with a wonderful opportunity to turn things around. It is just a natural energy one brings out on the field. There is no larger role I am assuming for myself.

In recent times, your batting has come under criticism. How important was the Sydney knock?

There have been questions raised over my batting since the West Indies tour. But one more thing that needs to go into consideration is I was playing all formats of the game and sometimes roles of people just playing Test cricket alone changes. I feel when I've just been playing Test cricket, it's pretty much one game here or there and I'm constantly fighting with someone else for the lone spinner slot. And if I have to be judged purely on my batting skills and batting averages then I think an innings or two alone to drop me out of a particular series, I felt wasn't quite justified.

Is this the best that you have bowled in Australia?

Looking back you can say that but I personally think that this is just another dimension of cricket that I'm seeing myself in. I've always maintained that you cannot really say this is the best or anything, you never know something else could lie in front of you. It didn't look like I was going to start the series, in all honesty. Because Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) damaged his hamstring and that is why I got my opportunity in the first Test. For me, things fell in place and I also have been feeling over the last two years I have been bowling well, how it's come out of the hand.

Did the Aussies underestimate India’s bench strength?

I am not too sure. They got bowled out for 190 in Adelaide. With another hundred runs on the board, even that pink ball Test could have gone either way. I personally think they knew our bowling was going to challenge them all through the series. I think it is just that the team found ways to bounce back from 36 all out. It's not quite the bench strength alone that dictated the way the series went. I think every time there was a challenge, somebody in the team raised their bar. One piece of good fortune, there were new people and fresh legs especially in the bowling department walking in. Sometimes when you're playing a long series, fresh legs and minds can do the trick.

After the Vizag Test (against SA in 2019) you said, 'it felt like a debut'. You said the same thing during the Adelaide Test. Despite being at the international stage for more than a decade, do you still feel that you have to prove yourself in every game? Is it justified?

I don't know if it's justified. Everybody walks their journey and it's mine. I have had some wonderful interactions with batting coach Vikram Rathour (a former selector) throughout this series. He was telling me that they were looking to leave me out after the England series in 2011-12. I asked him 'was it real?' because I heard noises about it. He said 'yes and we didn't quite think that you were bowling well'. But I made close to 400 runs in that series and picked up 14-15 wickets. 'Is that justified for a youngster to be spoken on the same lines', I asked him. It's a battle that I always fought. It's not new territory for me. My belief is that there will always be someone who will be competing with you. That's life. I accepted this at a young age.

For me, the competitions have got the best out of me. I have no complaints. I feel whatever I have left ahead of me will also be on the same lines. So I have decided to play every Test like my first. If I can't be excellent, I should just hang my head down and move on. That's the way I played my cricket, it won't be any different in future.

Duels with Steve Smith... best you ever had in your career?

There has been a lot of noise about how I am bowling and pitting me against someone like Nathan Lyon. During the previous tour in Adelaide, I picked up six wickets and kept on bowling despite a tear in the abdomen. After the match, there was a comparison between us with suggestions of how well Lyon bowled. I felt it was extremely insensitive towards a good performance. That was the lowest I ever felt in my life after Southampton (2018).

I feel I have been constantly put under the microscope. I did take it upon myself personally. So rather than me competing against Lyon, I thought I must be competing against Smith. Lyon is a lovely bowler and I have respect for him. But my focus was on something else. There were records that Smith had never got out to spinners in Australia. I wanted to turn that around. I am entitled to think I am probably the best in the world. I wanted to think on those lines. I thought 'who is the best in the series?' I can't compete with Virat Kohli so I decided to compete against Smith. A lot of people were talking about who will dismiss Smith. But, nobody even gave me a chance. Then, I made sure that people spoke about me at the end of the series.

Lots of pacers coming up. In the spin department, we have you, Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. After that, there aren’t many knocking on the doors of the Indian team. How do you see that?

Everything is a perception. Ten years ago, people were saying the same about our fast bowling department. 15 years ago, we were talking the same about our batting department. Once the greats go, what will we do for our next batting reserves? With all due respect to all the legends of the game and the great ones who are still playing in various formats, this will not be the be-all and end-all.

We are a country of 1.4 billion people and when so many people are mad... there will be players who will emerge. I feel a lot of wickets and the way spinners are being dealt with in first-class cricket is not giving the sort of comfort to spinners. When I came through the first-class ranks, my first captain was S Badrinath and coach was (WV) Raman. The learning I had under them is not the same for spinners coming right now. I was having a chat with Wasim Jaffer and Amol Muzumdar and that’s one of the reasons. Another thing is the amount of grass and the number of wickets the seamers take... games that finish in the first two days with seamers taking a lot of wickets to throw spinners off guard.

Spinners are someone who emerge because they do a lot of repetition and get a lot of games in FC cricket. If you are taking that away from the spinners and look at them as a T20 commodity, that’s where you will finish them. I feel there are talents but the way they are dealt with in first-class cricket is not the same as the privilege I had of being mentored by my captain and coach.

Is there a tinge of disappointment about not being made the vice-captain?

I may have been talking about it in a deeper extent in the past if you had asked me this (question) whether it matters or are you a touch disappointed. Honestly speaking, I am not disappointed and it is irrelevant to me. I go out there and make my own plans and get fields that I want. The captains and vice-captains that I have played with have been very supportive of whatever I have wanted. Leadership is just leading yourself and keeping your space upbeat for any situation that arises. If you can help another teammate that’s also leadership so it really doesn’t matter because I am lucky to have shared the dressing room with some wonderful players in the past and again sharing the dressing room with some great players like Virat Kohli, Rahane, Pujara. These are not small names and once I hang up my boots I will realise the significance of sharing the dressing room with such people even more. But I think I'm truly blessed to be playing alongside these guys and sometimes I do think that it can be a tough call on who you want to go as a vice-captain but it is extremely irrelevant to me.

You have been led by Kohli and Rahane. Talk to us about the differences in their style of leadership.

Rahane has led India in about five Tests and Kohli much more and that’s the first difference. I am totally blown away by the kind of comparisons people like to make when it comes to captaincy. All along it was about MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli and their styles of leadership. People just want to pick on it and just talk about it because it makes the headlines.

Personally, I feel that as a captain your achievements can only be as good as the team that you get. I feel this Indian team has had some wonderful results in the past because of quality players and human beings in the dressing room. Virat and Rahane have been captain and vice-captain for as long as I can remember now. They lend great balance to the team. As soon as Virat left, it was just an extension and nobody had to tell Jinks how things had to be operated and it was an automatic transition that happened. For me, it was an extension of what’s been happening in the last 5 years. We have played under Jinks in the Dharamshala Test (Against Oz in 2017) and then the Test against Afghanistan and we know what to expect. When the players know what to expect, things get a lot easier. I wouldn’t say there is a distinct difference in their style of captaincy. It's just the people they are. Virat is more expressive, communicative and in your face while Jinks doesn’t do these three things. But the way they captain the side is pretty much similar.


You had mentioned about bowling with a plan to restrict as well as take wickets. So did you buy into that restrictive, leg stump line?

I was given ample freedom to implement whatever plans I had. Nobody came up to me and said what I should be doing or where should I bowl. The homework was completely done by me. Before each Test, I sat and watched videos for eight hours on the bounce. I made my own plans about where the fielders should be. For example, how Tim Paine got out in Melbourne came from what happened in Adelaide about where the short-leg fielder should be and where the ball might go. So these are orchestrated plans and the freedom the team management gave me on how I should be working it. Bowling middle or leg stump line or off-stump line is, in my personal view, is not defensive nor attacking. It is just that who you are bowling to is of ample relevance. If you look at a lot of experts and commentators speaking about off-spin bowling and bowling outside off-stump — the glory they keep talking about — is the most overrated thing in world cricket at this point of time.

Bowling that line especially for someone who has not bowled with a left-arm seamer in my career is the most insignificant thing one can do. If Moeen Ali or Nathan Lyon is bowling outside off-stump to a glorious plan and Shane Warne is talking beautifully about it in the commentary box, it doesn't mean I have to do the same thing and wickets will fall. Because he is bowling to Indian batsmen and I'm bowling against English and Aussie batters.

And when I look back at the Southampton Test, where I stand now, the wide off-stump line that Ali bowled, I feel a little disappointed about myself. I should have skinned the cat, the way I skin the cat rather than falling for the trap and monotonously bowling into the rough. Because it is just not me. As far as I'm concerned, I bowl at other team batsmen not at Indian batters. If I have to bowl at Indian batsman then I may try what Ali or Lyon does. And sometimes the comparison between Ali and Lyon and myself, I have taken way too personally and it has hurt me and it will remain a hurt as long as I live.

On England series.... and are you looking at the 400-wicket milestone?

Honestly speaking, no! Had you asked me sometime ago, I would have said yes. But not now. Once I crossed 200 wickets, I stopped looking at milestones. It just happened over a course of time.

I think the England series is going to be good. They are coming with an amazing preparation in Sri Lanka where the wicket has spun over the last two Tests. Joe Root has been batting beautifully. When we beat them 4-0 last time, they played amazingly but results did not go in their favour. We were just too good on a lot of occasions. England are one of the teams who come well-prepared for a Test series. They have got good spinners and good quicks who can reverse the ball. They have got good batting order. What else can you ask for. A hard-fought Test series is surely on the cards. We have never played two back-to-back Tests at a venue in India. That also gives the touring team an ample time to get used to the conditions. These are new territory that even our team would be looking forward to adapting to.

How important is Natarajan's success story for Tamil Nadu cricket?

It's an extremely important story. A lot of people drive through Natarajan's journey for different reasons. But I look at it in a very pragmatic way rather than looking at different sorts of reasons that have emerged in the last six months. It's an extraordinary journey for a simple reason. I have seen a lot of cricketers emerge from districts and perform well in the junior category, but more often than not those who come from humble backgrounds tend to choose a Railway job or an ICF job over pursuing their professional career. Natarajan is a stark contrast in that regard. He could have settled down well by taking a Railway or a government job, but Natarajan decided to stay with Chemplast and prolong his professional career. He did well in TNPL and then fetched an IPL contract.

I think it's only justified given the risk he has taken. You must take the risk in order to be rewarded. He fully deserves all the accolades.



https://www.newindianexpress.com/sp...so-i-decided-to-pick-steve-smith-2254592.html

 

[Swashbuckler]

Lovely talk/interview with the Indian batting coach. His videos are addictive.

 

[MP2011]

Lovely talk/interview with the Indian batting coach. His videos are addictive.

Love the way Ashwin speaks! As you say his videos are really addictive. Isn't he an engineer as well? Well qualified to speak the way he does.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

CHENNAI: The recently concluded India-Australia series reminded the world about the varied talents of Ravichandran Ashwin. He excelled with the ball, picking up 12 wickets and continuously troubling Steve Smith, and bat, with his unbeaten 39 in the second innings at a Sydney helping India to draw that match. He reflected on those achievements and spoke about what's next to select media on Sunday. Excerpts:


https://www.newindianexpress.com/sp...so-i-decided-to-pick-steve-smith-2254592.html

Every fan should read this interview. The man's eloquent and a thinker.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Love the way Ashwin speaks! As you say his videos are really addictive. Isn't he an engineer as well? Well qualified to speak the way he does.

Yes he is, like several other brilliant South Indian cricketers.

The 32-year-old has a B. Tech degree in Information Technology from SSN College of Engineering, Chennai. After surviving an initial period of working at a firm post-graduation, he continued to pursue his cricketing dream

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/engineers-day-anil-kumble-ravichandran-ashwin-six-indian-cricketers-5996681/

 

[MP2011]

Yes he is, like several other brilliant South Indian cricketers.



https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/engineers-day-anil-kumble-ravichandran-ashwin-six-indian-cricketers-5996681/

Thanks. Generally South Indians put much more emphasis on education rather technical education by all accounts as compared to their Northern or Western counterparts. Srinath and Kumble are both engineers.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Amazing interview with bowling coach Bharat Arun, lot of insights and fun stuff. Don't know who I like more now, Ashwin the bowler or Ashwin the YouTube star.

 

[Ab Fan]

Ravichandran Ashwin is the Indian version of legendary Richie Benaud. A master tactician and a thorough analyst of the game.

 

[MP2011]

Ashwin averages 37 against England at home which is even worse than his average (32) against them in England.

So Ashwin gotta have a bumper series this time. May not get to play another home series against England.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Thanks. Generally South Indians put much more emphasis on education rather technical education by all accounts as compared to their Northern or Western counterparts. Srinath and Kumble are both engineers.

North Indians have come late to the party but now it has become very common.
In 2002 when I joined engineering college there were 32 colleges in Punjab. In 2006 that number became 100.Now it is more.
Once we Punjabis realised it’s an relatively easier way to settle abroad everyone is on the bandwagon.

 

[MP2011]

North Indians have come late to the party but now it has become very common.
In 2002 when I joined engineering college there were 32 colleges in Punjab. In 2006 that number became 100.Now it is more.��
Once we Punjabis realised it’s an relatively easier way to settle abroad everyone is on the bandwagon.

Agree with this.

 

[King_Kohli]

28 fifers in just 75 tests.
We are witnessing greatness!

 

[Ab Fan]

He is one of India's greatest test cricketer of all-time. Arguably up there with the greatest Indian test players of all-time.

In my opinion, in test cricket, his impact is as huge as Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Kohli.

In Ashwin, you basically get a Jimmy Anderson type match winner with the bowl and a Shaun Pollock type batsman.

 

[Hyperion66]

He is one of India's greatest test cricketer of all-time. Arguably up there with the greatest Indian test players of all-time.

In my opinion, in test cricket, his impact is as huge as Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Kohli.

In Ashwin, you basically get a Jimmy Anderson type match winner with the bowl and a Shaun Pollock type batsman.

He is our GOAT bowler, none comes close except Kapil Dev.

 

[Ab Fan]

He is our GOAT bowler, none comes close except Kapil Dev.

I am in awe with his commitment and dedication towards his team.

Bowled 55 overs and then came to bat after 55 overs and battled hard for almost 100 balls( about 33 overs partnership). Then he came to bowl the first over and bowled 8-9 overs on trott.

He has it all- skills, resilience, determination and grit. In test cricket, his impact actually goes beyond Kohli who is our best batsman.

28 fi-fers and 4 test hundreds and several other gritty performances.

 

[Hyperion66]

I am in awe with his commitment and dedication towards his team.

Bowled 55 overs and then came to bat after 55 overs and battled hard for almost 100 balls( about 33 overs partnership). Then he came to bowl the first over and bowled 8-9 overs on trott.

He has it all- skills, resilience, determination and grit. In test cricket, his impact actually goes beyond Kohli who is our best batsman.

28 fi-fers and 4 test hundreds and several other gritty performances.

True and we need him at his absolute best with the bat tomorrow as well, with Vihari not there, Sundar only playing his second test match and the team stacked with free flowing stroke-makers, him and Pujara are going to be the keys if we are to deadbat and save the test.

 

[Mamoon]

Forget India, he is one of the greatest Test cricketers in the history of the game.

A legend through and through. Incredible player.

 

[battler]

I am in awe with his commitment and dedication towards his team.

Bowled 55 overs and then came to bat after 55 overs and battled hard for almost 100 balls( about 33 overs partnership). Then he came to bowl the first over and bowled 8-9 overs on trott.

He has it all- skills, resilience, determination and grit. In test cricket, his impact actually goes beyond Kohli who is our best batsman.

28 fi-fers and 4 test hundreds and several other gritty performances.

Ashwin is streets ahead of Kohli when it comes to impact in test cricket. Heck Pujara has been more impactful for India in test cricket than kohli.
I'm not saying Pujara is a better batsman but he has been more impactful than kohli in test cricket.

 

[observer1]

Forget India, he is one of the greatest Test cricketers in the history of the game.

A legend through and through. Incredible player.

Behave. Had he been Pakistani, you'd be frothing st the mouth at how he is a homecraft bully.

 

[Buffet]

He is one of India's greatest test cricketer of all-time. Arguably up there with the greatest Indian test players of all-time.

In my opinion, in test cricket, his impact is as huge as Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Kohli.

In Ashwin, you basically get a Jimmy Anderson type match winner with the bowl and a Shaun Pollock type batsman.

You are probably short-selling him here. Forget about India,

Only 5 players in the entire history of cricket have more MOS than Ashwin and Ashwin has played only 70 odd tests with 7 MOS. 5 Players who have more MOS are Murali(11), Kallis(9), Hadlee/IK/Warne(8).

 

[Mamoon]

Behave. Had he been Pakistani, you'd be frothing st the mouth at how he is a homecraft bully.

If he was Pakistani, he would have been a lesser player, probably like Yasir Shah. Pakistan is not capable of produce players of his quality and stature anymore.

 

[Pakhs]

GOAT Asian spinner in tests and also a handy bat.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

You are probably short-selling him here. Forget about India,

Only 5 players in the entire history of cricket have more MOS than Ashwin and Ashwin has played only 70 odd tests with 7 MOS. 5 Players who have more MOS are Murali(11), Kallis(9), Hadlee/IK/Warne(8).

He narrowly missed out MOS on multiple series.

One against West Indies 2013. Rohit got it.

One against England 2016. Kohli got it.

Might have had a shot in Aus 2021 had he played last test and performed. But that can't be technically counted.

 

[Ab Fan]

You are probably short-selling him here. Forget about India,

Only 5 players in the entire history of cricket have more MOS than Ashwin and Ashwin has played only 70 odd tests with 7 MOS. 5 Players who have more MOS are Murali(11), Kallis(9), Hadlee/IK/Warne(8).

I agree. He is arguably the best test cricketer of his generation. Only Smith comes close to him.

Anderson may match his bowling feats but he was basically a no.11 with the bat. Rest are comfortably behind him in this format.

 

[Buffet]

He narrowly missed out MOS on multiple series.

One against West Indies 2013. Rohit got it.

One against England 2016. Kohli got it.

Might have had a shot in Aus 2021 had he played last test and performed. But that can't be technically counted.

Well, the total count is not important. He has had a huge impact in so many series despite playing only 70 odd tests so far. Yes, he was instrumental in series win in Aus with bat and ball both.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

indian_Atg_Count++;

 

[JaDed]

His previous series in Aus has made him Indian ATG.

In duo Ash/Jaddu > Bhajji/Kumble in tests for me due to the domination and a nothing batting side.

Hopefully Gill and Pant can atleast improve our batting at home highly doubt it though.

 

[ElRaja]

arguably the greatest off spin bowling cricketer of all time given what a handy batsmen he is. of all players india will eventually have to replace from this generation, ashwin will pbly be one of the most difficult.

made it to my all time xi in the draft before the aus series and no one was rating me for it. still salty.

him and shah were quite similar till a few years ago, but ashwin is always willing to experiment and try diff stuff, shah is too resistant to change, and it shows up in how ashwin has learned to bowl overseas where shah still struggles.

 

[Justcrazy]

I never understood why Ashwin is good. I can see that he gets wickets, but I have never been impressed with his bowling skill; it looks very ordinary and innocuous to me: not much spin, not many revs, not much flight, not much pace etc

For example, every other successful spinner has something visibly unique about them, like Murali, Warne, Saqlain, Vettori, Kumble, Harbhajan, Lyon, Yasir, everyone seems to have a strong flight or spin or pace or trajectory or something that you can pinpoint and say this is what makes the batsmen do mistakes and get out to. But what is it about Ashwin or what skill does he have that gets batsmen out?

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that he is among wickets and has been quite prolific in this series so far, but I don't know why he has been effective and that makes me less confident about him before the start of every match.

His job is not to look good but to get wickets

 

[Justcrazy]

You are probably short-selling him here. Forget about India,

Only 5 players in the entire history of cricket have more MOS than Ashwin and Ashwin has played only 70 odd tests with 7 MOS. 5 Players who have more MOS are Murali(11), Kallis(9), Hadlee/IK/Warne(8).

Ashwin can at least equal that , if he tries a bit hard.

 

[King_Kohli]

Ravichandran Ashwin to Ben Stokes in Test cricket:

488 balls
392 dots
178 runs
10 wickets

 

[King_Kohli]

Most times dismissing Stokes in intl Cricket

Ravi Ashwin - 14*
Kagiso Rabada - 7
Nathan Lyon - 6

 

[King_Kohli]

Indians Scoring Century & Picking Fifer in Same Test

Vinoo Mankad vs ENG (1952)
Polly Umrigar vs WI (1962)
Ravi Ashwin vs WI (2011)
Ravi Ashwin vs WI (2016)
Ravi Ashwin vs ENG (2021)*

 

[King_Kohli]

1000 runs + 100 wickets vs ENG

George Giffen (AUS)
Monty Noble (AUS)
Gary Sobers (WI)
Richard Hadlee (NZ)
Kapil Dev (IND)
Shane Warne (AUS)
Shaun Pollock (SA)
Ravi Ashwin (IND)*

 

[King_Kohli]

Indians with Most Test M.O.M Awards

Sachin - 14
Dravid - 11
Kumble - 10
Kohli - 9
Ashwin - 8*
Kapil - 8
Sehwag -8

 

[MenInG]

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar reckons that veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will never be in the scheme of things for Team India's limited-overs setup. R Ashwin has not played white-ball cricket for India since mid-2017 after the emergence of wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav, and, Yuzvendra Chahal and has been making his presence felt in the longest format of the game.

Meanwhile, the former opening batsman has gone on to say that since India already have a settled unit in the limited-overs, there is no space for Ashwin as a result of which he will only be playing red-ball cricket for the rest of his career.

“I somehow don’t think he will now make a comeback in the Indian limited-overs team because India have found in Hardik Pandya the all-rounder at No.7, there is Ravindra Jadeja and then they will have three seamers or maybe one spinner and two-seamers,” said Gavaskar while speaking on Star Sports.

“I don’t think he will fit into the squad at the moment and therefore, he will be a Test match player for the next half a dozen years at least,” the 1983 World Cup winner added.

Ravi Ashwin has been India's Test specialist for the last few years. He had last played white-ball cricket of India back in July 2017 when West Indies had hosted India in a one-off T20I match.

The senior offie has 150 scalps from 111 One Day Internationals and 52 wickets in 46 T20I matches. Coincidentally, his last appearance in an ICC event had also come in the same year i.e. 2017 during the ICC Champions Trophy where the Men In Blue made it to the finals but suffered a bitter defeat by a mammoth 180 runs at the hands of arch-rivals Pakistan. The off-spinner had a forgettable day as he finished with figures of 0/70 from 10 overs.

https://www.republicworld.com/sport...ging-a-comeback-in-limited-overs-cricket.html

 

[JaDed]

It’s good to have certain players that can play IPL and test cricket ... one giving them financial security and other the respect!

Easier for bowlers than batsmen - unfortunately for Pujara

 

[King_Kohli]

Ravi Ashwin is just 6 wickets away from reaching 400 Test wickets.
He'll become the 4th Indian after Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh to achieve this feat. He also needs to take them in the next 3 Tests to become the 2nd quickest to reach the landmark.

 

[Ab Fan]

<B>Asian Test players with 400+ wickets-</B>

1.Muralitharan - 800 wickets
2.Anil Kumble - 619 wickets
3.Kapil Dev - 434 wickets
4.Rangana Herath - 433 wickets
5.Harbhajan Singh - 417 wickets
6.Wasim Akram - 414 wickets

By country:-

India - 3
Sri Lanka - 2
Pakistan - 1

 

[Hyperion66]

What a legend Ashwin is.

BTW I hope one day we will have more pacers with 400+ wickets. Ishant will probably reach there before he retires.

 

[King_Kohli]

Ravi Ashwin in this Test Series against England:-

•With the bat
Innings - 6
Runs - 189
Ave - 31.50
100s - 1

•With the ball
Wickets - 32
Ave - 14.70
5-Wicket - 2

Man Of the Series Awards. Incredible.

 

[King_Kohli]

Ravichandran Ashwin ends the series with 32 wickets, and 189 runs.

In Test history, only two Indians have managed to surpass both Ashwin's wickets and runs total in a single Test series: Vinoo Mankad in 1951/52 v England, and Kapil Dev in 1979/80 v Pakistan.

 

[OMB]

Ravichandran Ashwin Not Worried About Playing White-Ball Cricket For India, Says He's at Peace

It’s been nearly four years since Ravichandran Ashwin last played a white-ball match for India. With the offspinner putting in a man-of-the-series performance in the recently concluded India-England four-match Test series, questions were raised why he hasn’t been considered for a spot for either in ODIs or T20Is.

India captain Virat Kohli was asked the reason behind that but he said there has no room for the match-winner in the T20I setup considering the performance the current players are putting in. So naturally, the question was then put up to Ashwin himself who termed the query as ‘laughable’.

“A lot of times people tell these lines on leadership forums that ‘you need to compete with yourself. But I have definitely found the balance and learned in life about how I must be competing with myself and be at complete peace when I am doing that,” Ashwin was quoted as saying by India Today.

“Because when some of these questions are asked about my ODI return, T20I return, white-ball dreams, and all these things, I find those questions are really laughable because I am totally at peace and extremely happy with the life I am leading right now,” he added.

Not that Ashwin has a poor record in limited-overs or he has completely given up playing the shorter formats. In fact, in T20Is, he averages 22.94 and has a decent economy of 6.97. Not a poor record by any standards.

Ashwin, 34, though won’t be averse to donning the blue jersey again should the chance be presented to him in the future. “That given an opportunity anywhere, I would make a game-breaking performance which I am almost certain about because of the space I find myself in. What questions people have to ask, what opinions people have, I am not worried about at all. As of now, every single game I play out there in the park, I want to leave a smile on my face and everybody else’s,” Ashwin said.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/ravichandran-ashwin-not-worried-about-playing-white-ball-cricket-for-india-says-hes-at-peace-974056

 

[OMB]

'Washington Sundar is No Match For Him' - Former Selector Wants R Ashwin Back in India White-Ball Squads

Former India captain and chief of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar has advocated for the inclusion of out-of-favour Ravichandran Ashwin in the limited-overs set-up. Once a regular across formats, Ashwin has now been reduced to a red-ball specialist for India but with India struggling on spin front as far as white-ball cricket goes, the calls for bringing back the veteran have only grown in recent times.

Take for example the recently concluded three-match ODI series against England. Kuldeep Yadav had a nightmare of the series and was dropped after two wicketless, expensive outings while Yuzvendra Chahal wasn’t even given one match. Allrounder Krunal Pandya made waves but only with the bat.

Vengsarkar says had he been the chief selector, Ashwin would be back playing limited-overs cricket for India. “If I were the chief selector, I would have brought Ashwin back,” Vengsarkar told The Indian Express. “Why not? Because he is such an experienced bowler and he has variety. As they say, spinners mature late and he has done so well over the years. He is in terrific form in red ball cricket. I think it will suit the team if he is brought back.”

Recently, India captain Virat Kohli had taken exception to a query as to why Ashwin, despite being a consistent performer in Test cricket, continues to be ignored for ODIs and T20Is. “Washington (Sundar) has been doing really well for us. So you cannot have two players of the same discipline, playing in one spot. So unless Washy has a drastically horrible season and things go south for him (this will not happen),” Kohli had said earlier this month.

But Vengsarkar disagrees with Kohli arguing Sundar is no away closer to Ashwin when taken purely as a bowler.

“Washington Sundar is no match if you compare him with Ashwin purely as a bowler. Where is the comparison?” Vengsarkar said.

He even said that it’s possible for Sundar and Ashwin to coexist. “In the ODIs, when the spinners bowl, their job is to get wickets in the middle overs. If they fail to get wickets, then the opposition can score a huge total, with wickets in hand. So basically Ashwin’s job will be to get wickets and he is good at that,” the 64-year-old explained.

“The variety he has, he would be a very good attacking option and very few can match his variety. As far as spinners are concerned, you don’t contain the batsmen (in this format), especially in the middle overs,” he added.


https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/washington-sundar-is-no-match-for-him-former-selector-wants-r-ashwin-back-in-india-white-ball-squads-975732