Ravichandran Ashwin is regarded as the flag barrier of the Indian Cricket Team when it comes to spin bowling. His partnership with Ravindra Jadeja with the ball turned out to be a nightmare for batsmen all over the world. Ravichandran Ashwin has proved his mettle for so long and has won games for India on several occasions.
There is no denying Ravichandran Ashwin’s influence as one of Test cricket’s top off-spinners. Since making his Test debut in 2011, he has continuously demonstrated his abilities and intelligence while evolving each time. The hallmark of Ashwin’s career has been his ability to use cunning and skill to trick the batters.
It becomes challenging for the batters to devise a consistent strategy against him because he consistently improves his bowling. Despite the occasional setback, Ashwin has pushed himself forward with tenacity and resolve to continue being productive over the years. With 537 wickets in 106 games at an average of 24.01, Ashwin now holds the seventh-highest wicket-taking record in the red-ball format.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Top Three Bowling Spells In Test Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin has bowled a lot of memorable spells where he has run through the opposition’s batting line-up in the blink of an eye. He has been at the centre stage of India’s domination at home for so many years. When a player has 37 five-wicket hauls it is difficult to come down to just three.
1. 7/59 vs New Zealand
Ravichandran Ashwin’s best Test cricket performance to date is his outstanding 7/59 bowling stats against New Zealand in Indore in 2016. India won by an overwhelming 321 runs thanks in large part to this brilliant exhibition of spin bowling. Virat Kohli’s double century helped India reach a huge 557 in their first innings, setting the stage for Ashwin’s heroics. After that, Ashwin took center stage with a commanding 6/81 in the opening innings for New Zealand.
But Ashwin’s true ability was on display in the second innings. He destroyed the New Zealand batting order with his 7/59, guaranteeing India a landslide victory. Ashwin won Man of the Match for his outstanding effort, he also was named Man Of The Series.
2. 7/66 vs South Africa
Ashwin devastated the South African batting order in the third Test match in Nagpur during the 2015 IND vs. SA series. In the first innings, Ashwin was the main destroyer, taking 5/32, as the visitors were skittled out for a pitiful 79. The South Africans were knocked out for 185 after Ashwin continued to torment them in the second session, taking 7/66.
His proficiency with spin bowling was demonstrated by his match statistics of 12/98. Ashwin’s heroics were a major factor in India’s 124-run triumph, and he was rightfully named Player of the Match.
3. 7/71 vs West Indies
Ravichandran Ashwin demonstrated his extraordinary bowling abilities in the 2023 Dominica Test match against the West Indies. With an incredible 7/71 in 21.3 overs, including seven maidens, he recorded his third-best bowling stats in Test cricket. Ashwin’s five-wicket haul in the first innings, which dismissed the hosts for just 150 runs, marked the beginning of his dominance.
This paved the way for India’s outstanding batting display, which was highlighted by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s incredible 171 in his first Test match. Ashwin’s unrelenting bowling in the second innings sealed the West Indies team’s doom as they were unable to overcome the overwhelming deficit. He cleaned up the final four hitters after dismissing three of the top five.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Prowess As An All-Rounder
Whenever Ravi Ashwin got a chance to bat he did his best to contribute to the team. He has scored 3503 runs in test cricket with an average of 25.76. He also has 14 half centuries and 6 centuries to his name. Facing more than 6000 balls in test cricket Ashwin has proved that he had proper all-round ability in the purest form of the game.
It will difficult for the Indian Cricket Team to fill in his boots as he was a versatile and a very clever player on the field.
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