Ravichandran Ashwin
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2015: Star of the December series against South Africa
The Times of India
For star of the show, it's the start of a `wonderful journey'
India's star spinner R Ashwin feels the 3-0 win over South Africa is the start of a `wonderful journey' for the current Test team and the triumph will help them improve on their dismal overseas record. “When we got that last wicket, we could not express ourselves. It was amazing! Everybody was hugging each other and we don't even remember what we were all doing out there. Having beaten a team like South Africa, we have set on a wonderful journey,“ said Ashwin.
“I am sure our better days as a team are ahead of us. We will tour overseas soon and I am very hopeful that we will be on the right track there as well. I want to congratulate all the boys who have been on this journey with me. To get another Man of the Series award, I was craving for it, but I didn't know it will come so soon again, after Sri Lanka,“ he was quoted as saying by bcci.tv.
A s h w i n credited South African batsmen for making life tougher for the hosts in the final Test.
“First things first, you have got to give credit where it is due. They shut shop and showed a lot of discipline. But while they were defending everything, the def e n c e w a s n' t that great. If there was a bit more bounce or fizz in the wicket, we might have had an edge here and there. Having said that, they assessed the conditions very well.“
How tough was it to take wickets on the surface and also considering the ultra defensive approach of the batsmen? “They wanted to bring something out of us. All through the series I was there and thereabouts and wasn't giving anything away.But this innings demanded something more and I was trying to mix it up a bit. I was lobbing an odd full-toss and giving them one up there to get them into the driving mode and see if I can get a nick.“
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Umesh Yadav's economy rate the best-ever by an Indian bowler in a Test innings (min 3 wkts). This rate is also the best by a pacer in a Test innings (min 90 balls). Umesh Yadav's economy rate -the best-ever by an Indian bowler in a Test innings (min 3 wkts). This rate is also the best by a pacer in a Test innings (min 90 balls).
2016: the most valuable player in tests
Shashank Shekhar, IS ASHWIN NOW THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN TESTS?, Sep 27 2016 : The Times of India
The Times of India
As Ravichandran Ashwin spun the Kiwis to their doom to set up a victory for India in its historic 500th Test, the question inevitably popped up: Is he the most valuable player (MVP) in Test cricket at the moment? His numbers are already staggering, and they are only getting better. On Sunday , he became the second fastest to 200 Test wickets, reaching the landmark in 37 Tests. At home, his figures are deadly -136 wickets in 20 Tests at 21.04.The good thing is, Ashwin has been improving his record on foreign soil 67 scalps in 17 tests at 33 apiece is decent considering how finger spinners usually struggle away from the subcontinent. Add to that his batting, which he has been ramping up lately -he is the top-ranked Test allrounder in the world -and you have a match-winning package.
Test captain Virat Kohli put things in perspective when responding to a query by TOI.“It's priceless to have a player like Ashwin in your Test team, who gives you balance with both bat and ball. I hope he keeps nurturing his skills so that we can keep dominating and winning Test matches in the future,“ he said.
Does he see Ashwin as the top impact player in the world right now? “He has been out standing for the team. If you see all the top impact players in the world, he comes in the top three or four easily. I believe it's bowlers who win you Test matches and he has been bowling wonderfully well in the last couple of years.“ Ashwin was nursing a corn in the middle finger of his bowl ing hand but still bowled 66 overs in Kanpur, every over a stern test for the Kiwi batsmen. He produced the ball of the match to get rid of Kane Williamson in the first innings. When his finger began hurting, Ashwin resorted to clever use of the carrom ball to snuff out the Kiwi challenge on Monday .
Ashwin has the skills, and he has the brains to make the best use of those skills. And then he has the guts to go in with the belief that he is the master of game. As Kohli said, “He works very hard on his game and he is a very keen thinker of cricket. He understands the game really well. He is very intelligent, which shows in his batting too.“
Since Ashwin's debut in Novem ber 2011, India have had a fabulous run at home, winning 15 of the 20 Tests they have played. Away from home, they have won four and lost seven out of 17. Ashwin's contribution in the wins, especially at home, has been critical.
Ashwin has lately been hobnobbing with Anil Kumble, India's greatest matchwinner in Test cricket, who is also Team India coach. It's early days yet but if there is one player who has the potential to stand beside Kumble on this pedestal, it's Ashwin.
