India’s former wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik believes Ravichandran Ashwin deserves to be in the list of greatest all-rounders. Ashwin came up with an all-round performance in the opening Test match against Bangladesh at his home ground of MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, and played a huge role in India’s 280-run win.
Ashwin joined forces with Ravindra Jadeja when India was reeling at 144-6 in the first innings. However, the right-hander was able to hit the ground running as he timed the ball to perfection. Ashwin scored a brilliant knock of 113 runs, which was his sixth Test century and added a match-winning alliance of 199 runs with Ravindra Jadeja to help the team post 376 runs on the board.
Furthermore, Ashwin returned with impressive figures of 6-88 in the second innings after going wicketless in the first essay. With his 37th five-wicket haul, he equaled Shane Warne’s record and also leapfrogged Courtney Walsh’s tally of 519 Test wickets. Ergo, he was awarded Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz, “Some of the records that he’s tumbling are just quite flabbergasting, to say the least. You have to put him in the greats of the game who has played among all-rounders. We speak about the number of hundreds and fifers taken in one game, he is just behind Ian Botham.
“You speak about the number of wickets picked, he’s just eighth in that list. If you see the strike rates of the bowlers who have picked more than 400 wickets, only Dale Steyn ahead of him. Sometimes I feel we are a tad bit unfair to him when we say, ‘Oh, he’s not done well. Oh, he could have done better here.’”
Karthik added that India can not think of playing without the services of Ravichandran Ashwin, especially in home conditions, where the off-spinner has a lethal record.
“There was a phase in Indian cricket where you could do away with one or two batters if they were not around but you couldn’t do away without Anil Kumble. I think Ashwin has taken over that mantle where you can’t play a home series without him. He is the deal breaker. It’s a make-or-break if Ashwin is there in the team or not.”
The second Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at Green Park, Kanpur from September 27.
