Shutting his critics with some tremendous form in the England test series, Ravichandran Ashwin has removed the tag of only being useful on the flat tracks. The Chennai cricketer has bagged 8 wickets in three test and is the highest wicket takers amongst the spinners from both the teams. Former England spinner Graeme Swann who himself was an off-spinner has rated Ashwin as the best off-spinner in the world.
Swann believes that Australia’s Nathan Lyon comes very close but Ashwin is a step ahead given his variations and consistency.
“Ashwin is easily the best off-spinner in the world. His record in the subcontinent is phenomenal and I loved the way he bowled at Edgbaston,”
“Australia’s Nathan Lyon has come up brilliantly and I’m impressed by the fact that he has been successful back home. He hasn’t been as effective in England and I would keep Ashwin just ahead because of the variations he has, in addition to being brilliantly consistent,” said Swann who had the knack of picking wickets in his very first over.
Ashwin has been in tremendous form in the ongoing England tour. He picked 7 wickets in the first test at Edgbaston that brought India right into the game. He delivered on a consistent basis in the next two tests on a pitch that had nothing for the spinners what-so-ever.
Swann also praised the recent run of Afghanistan’s leggie Rashid Khan and termed him as the best limited over bowler in the current times. Swann hopes that the 19-year-old will come good in the transforming himself into a better test match cricketer too.
“Yes, he (Ashwin) is the best in Tests 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, as and when he gets to play regularly.”
