New Delhi: R Ashwin is one of the greatest spinners to have played for India and one of the best off-spinners in the world. The second-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket, Ashwin has been a force to reckon with in the longest format and might go on to break the legendary Anil Kumble’s all-time record if he can continue delivering for India at the same consistency in the next couple of years.
Ashwin is celebrating his 38th birthday on Tuesday, September 17. His white-ball career might be all but over for India but the willy off-spinner remains a vital cog for India in Tests and his consistency with the red cheery is one of the major reasons behind India’s impeccable Test record at home over the last decade.
A veteran of 100 Tests, Ashwin has a staggering 516 wickets for India in the longest format at an average of 23.75, including as many as 8 10-wicket hauls and 36 fifers. Known for his willingness to continuously innovate his game and improve his overall skillset, Ashwin has been a keen learner throughout his career and arguably a great servant to Indian cricket across formats.
R Ashwin started his career as a top-order batter
However, not many would know Ashwin started his career as a top-order batter. A master of the art of spin bowling and an inspiration for budding spinners around the world today, Ashwin used to bat at the top order for Tamil Nadu in junior cricket, thanks to his father, who envisioned him as an opener and always believed he will become a great batter.
However, destiny had something else planned for Ashwin, who never fancied spin bowling while rising through the ranks in age-group cricket. He was rather fancied towards pace bowling and aspired to become a medium pacer at one point in his career. However, it was his coach C. K. Vijaya Kumar who played a pivotal role in converting Ashwin from an opener turned medium-pacer to a world-beating off-spinner.
Coach Kumar, who took Ashwin under his wings at St. Bede’s Anglo-Indian High School, advised him to continue pursuing off-spin after witnessing him try spin bowling one day. Ashwin’s height and his control over the ball gave Vijay the confidence that the tall and willy bowler had better chances of breaking into the Tamil Nadu senior team as a spinner than a medium pacer or a batter.
Remarkable rise
In the years to come, Ashwin would go on to prove his coach right with his remarkable rise as a spinner. The off-spinner made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in 2006 and it took him years of consistent performances in the domestic circuit and an IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) before earning his India debut in 2010.
There has been no looking back ever since for the Chennai spinner, who has established his credentials as one of the best in the world in his art. While he is India’s 2nd highest wicket-taker of all time with 516 wickets in 100 Tests, Ashwin has 156 and 72 wickets to his name in 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is, respectively. He has also been hugely successful in the IPL with 180 wickets from 212 matches.
R Ashwin birthday: Senior India off-spinner R Ashwin turned 38 on Tuesday, Septemebr 17. One of the best off-spinners in the world, Ashwin started as a top order batter before taking up medium pace bowling. Here is a look at his journey to becoming one of the best spinners in the world. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
