Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, is on the cusp of a significant milestone as he prepares for his 100th Test match. Reflecting on his illustrious career, Ashwin has expressed his admiration for some of the finest batters he has encountered, both domestically and internationally.
Ashwin singled out Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root as the most formidable opponents he has faced. “I have loved bowling to Steve Smith, Williamson, and Joe Root. They are some of the finest batters going around the world now,” he said.
The 37-year-old spinner acknowledged that his domestic experiences also played a crucial role in his development. “I had the privilege of bowling to some of the gun batters of spin in first-class cricket,” he said, naming S Badrinath, Mithun Manhas, and Rajat Bhatia as players who helped him hone his skills.
Ashwin’s journey to the international stage was not solely based on his white-ball prowess. “I had a good 30-40 matches in first-class cricket before I made it to the Indian team,” he emphasized.
Despite his success in limited-overs cricket, Ashwin remains committed to club cricket. “I played 3-4 years of club cricket in Chennai, probably mentored by seniors, told where I made mistakes, corrected my discipline, bowled long spells,” he said.
Ashwin’s Test debut came in 2011, and he has since become one of India’s most successful bowlers in the format. He recently became only the second Indian after Anil Kumble to cross 500 wickets in Tests.
“A lot of things need to go your way when you have to get a breakthrough and also continue playing for so many years. I am indebted for all those things,” he said.
