South Africa, First Published Dec 21, 2021, 6:18 PM IST
Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s best spinner, is one of the all-time spinners in international cricket. Ashwin, who has taken 427 wickets in Test cricket, is the third highest wicket-taker in India after Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev. With 8 more wickets to go, Kapil will overtake the need and take 2nd place.
Ashwin and Jadeja were the spin duo in the Dhoni-led Indian team. When Virat Kohli took over as captain, wrist spinners were given priority. So Kuldeep-Sahil took the place of Ashwin-Jadeja. The Kuldeep-Sahal duo dominated the Indian team for 2 years. Ashwin – Jadeja were sidelined.
While Jadeja was sidelined overall, Ashwin was sidelined from the white cricket teams. But Ashwin made his debut in Test cricket. But in the overseas Test series, Ashwin was left out of the playing XI. Despite Jadeja giving a comeback to the white cricket team in 2018, Ashwin remained sidelined.
At that time Ashwin was made to sit on the bench in the overseas Test series and Kuldeep Yadav was picked in the squad. Now Ashwin has given a comeback to all sorts of teams and is once again making his mark in the Indian team.
But at the time when Ashwin was sidelined, Kuldeep was the spinner for the Indian team in the Test series on the 2018 Australian tour. Kuldeep takes 5 wickets in Sydney Test It was then that the Indian team won the Test series for the first time on Australian soil and set a historic record.
Ravi Shastri, who spoke about Ashwin at the time, said every player has an end (when talking about Ashwin’s fitness). But for now Kuldeep Yadav is our primary spinner, ”Shastri said.
Ashwin, who has now given a comeback not only to the Test team but also to the white cricket team, is open-minded about the incident. Talking about how Shastri’s opinion affected him, Ashwin has great value on Ravi (Shastri) bhai. We all have great value. I was devastated the moment he said that comment. We know that it is important to rejoice in the success of a teammate. I was just happy for Kuldeep. Even when I was bowling brilliantly, I never took 5 wickets in Australia. So I’m just happy for Kuldeep because I know how difficult it is to take 5 wickets in Australia.
If I am happy for Kuldeep, I can join in the victory celebration. If I feel thrown away, how can I attend that celebration? I went to the room and talked to my wife. Then I attended the victory celebration from the room because it was my team’s win, ”said Ashwin.
Last Updated Dec 21, 2021, 6:18 PM IST
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