Ravichandran Ashwin Has Completely Changed As A Bowler: Sachin Tendulkar
Feb 5, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has said India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has matured as a ‘complete bowler’ and is keen to see his performances overseas.
The Tamil Nadu ace did not enjoy the best of time in Test cricket during early years that saw him getting severely criticised for his indifferent performances in unfavourable conditions. Well, all the criticism and poor performances have become a part of the past now as the tweaker has become arguably the finest spinner in the world right now. The top-ranked Test bowler has finished the last two years as the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket and deservedly won the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2016.
The 30-year-old has performed well in almost every Test that India has played in the last couple of years and Tendulkar believes his former teammate has completely changed in the last two years.
“In the last two years, Ashwin has changed completely as a bowler. He has become a complete bowler, who has control over the situation and how he wants to approach a spell is completely different,” Tendulkar told India Today.
Tendulkar further said he is confident of Ashwin doing well in overseas matches.
“Earlier, I thought he was experimenting too much but now he is a matured off-spinner. We need to see how he goes abroad and wins matches for India and I am sure the way he has been performing, he will be able to do so,” Tendulkar added.
Speaking about the Test team which is currently the top-ranked team in the world, the former batsman said:
“I think we have a very good team, a balanced side. The strength lies in our batters being able to bowl little bit and the bowlers being able to bat. If R Ashwin, who is batting at No.7 or No.8, has four Test hundreds, then we surely feel that we have enough strength in our batting. Then the bowlers, both him and Ravindra Jadeja, have done very well.
“We are playing aggressive cricket, attacking cricket and producing good results. It is not up to individuals. India as a team needs to play well. Of course you need a good leader, which I see in Virat Kohli. Obviously, his consistency in batting has been remarkable but you need team to win matches to bring back the crowds and we have been doing that,” he concluded.