Ravichandran Ashwin’s 42-run knock was crucial in taking India over the line in the second Test match against Bangladesh. Chasing a tricky target of 145, India were reduced to 74/7 before Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer shepherded the side to a 3-wicket victory. Ashwin finished the game with 6 wickets and a match-winning performance with the bat.
In 88 test matches he has played, he has bowled 3929 overs (averaging almost 45 overs a game), taking 449 wickets at an average of 24.3 (better than Shane Warne) and a strike rate of 52.5 (better than Muthiah Muralidaran). His record in the subcontinent is even more phenomenal – in 60 matches in Asia, he has taken 362 wickets at an average of 21.44.
Ashwin has always fancied himself as a batter, batting in the top order during his school days. In his test career, he has amassed 3043 runs with five centuries and 13 fifties at an average slightly higher than 27. These are very good numbers for a player who has batted at numbers 8 and 9 in nearly 70 per cent of his innings. Arguably, he has batted too low down the order for most of his career. Ashwin also has the same number of centuries as Andrew Flintoff.
Wasim Jaffer believes Ashwin is world’s all-time greats
Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer compared Ashwin with the former allrounder Andrew Flintoff and former speedster Dale Steyn. He tweeted that, “ World* cricket’s. Ashwin has as many Test tons as Flintoff, and more wickets than Steyn. #BANvIND.
World* cricket's. Ashwin has as many Test tons as Flintoff, and more wickets than Steyn. #BANvIND https://t.co/52mr04eOuP
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 25, 2022
Jaffer also said the lower order has saved India so many times, insisting that Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer had a fantastic partnership for India.
“The lower order has saved India so many times. That’s the box India need to take going forward, but what a fantastic partnership from Ashwin and Iyer, The 44-year-old said Iyer’s game against spin is of top quality, adding that he’s saved India so many times in the past.” Said Jaffer.
“I thought Iyer played really well. His game against spin is top quality. In his short career, he’s saved India so many times. They have been 100-4, 120-5 and he has come there along with Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ashwin,” Jaffer added.
Here’s how fans reacted:
This is not acceptable from you sir.. spinner ko pacers k sath compare karna..
— Nocturnal soul (@shovankar435) December 25, 2022
Ashwin is one of the most underappreciated players in world cricket. I am glad he is finally getting the appreciation he deserves. Indias best bowler n possibly all rounder.
— Akhil (@akhil_oldsoul) December 25, 2022
Plz! Don't compare Steyn Gun With Spinning Track Merchant Ashwin! 🤦🏻♂️ Steyn Was Able To Pick 5 Wickets in the Deadest Track possible 🤷🏻♂️
— Arik (@IamtheoneM) December 25, 2022
Aswin is a stable and trusted player in any condition. But he is already 36. It is the right time to induct new players.
— Kamal Shenoy (@ShenoyKamal) December 26, 2022
Same in the case of Rohit 35, Virat 34, Pujara 34, Shami, along with non performing players like Rahul etc
Sorry Ashwin is good.. but has a bad record in SeNa countries and has bowled in doctored pitches
— saurav kumar singh (@sauravksingh85) December 25, 2022
Dusty..Turners..don't compare with Steyn
— @imbanerji (@imbanerji) December 25, 2022
I'm an Indian and A fan of @ashwinravi99 .. but don't you dare to compare @DaleSteyn62 with anyone!
— Himanshu Ahlawat (@HimanshuAhlawa1) December 25, 2022
ON no basis you can compare him with anyone!
HE IS THE G. O. A. T ❤️
Such a useless comment this Wasim..Neither Ashwin can be compared with great Steyn who wrecked havoc in all conditions nor can be compared to Flintoff too who with his sheer pace n energy turned matches for Eng..Kallis Ponting he shook all..it's not in stats always…
— alwzlucky (@WelllLeft) December 25, 2022
LoL 😂😂 who is not even in First choice XI of Indian team when they play in SENA is an *world crickets all time great 😂😂 sir we know you r funny man but come on that's was not a nice joke 🤣
— Adarsh Kamble (@AdarshKamble143) December 25, 2022
