Ravichandran Ashwin showed on Friday just how much he was missed during last month's One Day International series. The off-spinner ripped through the South African batting line-up on the second day of the first Test match at Mohali, picking up five wickets for 51 runs. South Africa were shot out for 184, giving India a potentially vital 17-run lead.
Ashwin had shown glimpses of the threat he posed in the fading light of the first day, with two peaches to get rid of Stiaan van Zyl and Faf du Plessis. Hence, it was a bit of a surprise that captain Kohli did not start with him on day 2, preferring to give the faster bowlers a go. But just when South Africa seemed on course to reach lunch without any damage, Ashwin induced Dean Elgar into a wild heave that cost him his wicket. That was just the opening Ashwin and India needed – a few overs later, he outfoxed Hashim Amla, firing one in to leave the stranded. Three balls later, Ashwin completed his five-wicket haul as Dane Vilas could only manage to top-edge an attempted sweep.
En route to his five-wicket haul, Ashwin also became the fastest Indian to pick up 150 Test wickets and the fourth fastest overall. The only players to have reached this landmark faster than Ashwin are Clarrie Grimmett (Australia), Waqar Younis (Pakistan) and Sydney Barnes (England).
Ashwin, also the fastest Indian to reach the 50 and 100-wicket mark, is also well ahead of the next Indians after him, the great spinners Erapalli Prasanna and Anil Kumble. The duo both took five matches more than Ashwin to bag 150 wickets.
Subject of criticism
When he made his debut in November 2011, Ashwin was criticised for being someone who could only perform in limited overs matches. Doubts were raised about whether he was up to the task in the longer version. However, since then, Ashwin has swiftly silenced the critics, taking plenty of wickets in the last four years.
An unfair criticism often made against Ashwin is that most of his wickets have come against left-handers. While an off-spinner always enjoys an obvious advantage against a left-hander, with the ball turning away from the batsman, Ashwin’s track record proves that he has been equally adept against right-handers too.
One particular aspect that Ashwin will seek to improve is his record away from home, especially outside Asia.
Ashwin had shown glimpses of the threat he posed in the fading light of the first day, with two peaches to get rid of Stiaan van Zyl and Faf du Plessis. Hence, it was a bit of a surprise that captain Kohli did not start with him on day 2, preferring to give the faster bowlers a go. But just when South Africa seemed on course to reach lunch without any damage, Ashwin induced Dean Elgar into a wild heave that cost him his wicket. That was just the opening Ashwin and India needed – a few overs later, he outfoxed Hashim Amla, firing one in to leave the stranded. Three balls later, Ashwin completed his five-wicket haul as Dane Vilas could only manage to top-edge an attempted sweep.
En route to his five-wicket haul, Ashwin also became the fastest Indian to pick up 150 Test wickets and the fourth fastest overall. The only players to have reached this landmark faster than Ashwin are Clarrie Grimmett (Australia), Waqar Younis (Pakistan) and Sydney Barnes (England).
Ashwin, also the fastest Indian to reach the 50 and 100-wicket mark, is also well ahead of the next Indians after him, the great spinners Erapalli Prasanna and Anil Kumble. The duo both took five matches more than Ashwin to bag 150 wickets.
Subject of criticism
When he made his debut in November 2011, Ashwin was criticised for being someone who could only perform in limited overs matches. Doubts were raised about whether he was up to the task in the longer version. However, since then, Ashwin has swiftly silenced the critics, taking plenty of wickets in the last four years.
An unfair criticism often made against Ashwin is that most of his wickets have come against left-handers. While an off-spinner always enjoys an obvious advantage against a left-hander, with the ball turning away from the batsman, Ashwin’s track record proves that he has been equally adept against right-handers too.
One particular aspect that Ashwin will seek to improve is his record away from home, especially outside Asia.
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