Cricket: This is why Ravichandran Ashwin is the best spinner in Tests

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Ravichandran Ashwin

Image Courtesy: SportsWiki

Ravichandran Ashwin has evolved to be one of the key players in the test squad for the Men In Blue for a while. The off-spinner’s contributions have led India to notable victories over the years.

The 31-year-old gained an admirer in the form of former England spinner Graeme Swann who claimed that Ashwin is the best when it comes to the longest format of the game. In an interview with Sony ESPN and BBC Match Special, the retired cricketer gave his opinion on the current set of off-spinners along with his thoughts on the Kings XI Punjab skipper. Swann said:

“Ashwin is easily the best off-spinner in the world, his record in the subcontinent is phenomenal and I loved the way he bowled t Edgbaston (in the first Test). Australia’s Nathan Lyon has come up brilliantly and I am impressed by the fact that he has been successful back home. “

While keeping the Indian offie at the pinnacle, The 39-year-old rated Rashid Khan higher than Ashwin when it comes to limited overs and admitted that England have struggled to get in a quality spinner ever since his departure from the game.

“Yes, he is the best in Test cricket but in T20s you can’t look beyond Rashid Khan. He has a fast arm, great googly and is a brilliant story as well. Rashid is just a very exciting cricketer and I would love to see him be successful in tests as well.”

While Ashwin’s participation in the fourth test at Southampton remains under a cloud of uncertainty due to injury, the former Chennai Super Kings’ core member has been one of the most consistent performers for the visitors in this tour so far.
The emergence of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav has diminished Ashwin’s role in the limited overs squad, but his expertise and experience with the red cherry still makes him a top player in the test setup for the years to come.

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