Former Indian coach and spinner Anil Kumble has given homage to Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of his historic 100th Test, noting that spinners do not have the same level of hero worship as hitters in the country.
Ashwin, 37, became the second Indian bowler after Kumble to achieve the 500-wicket mark in Tests during the third game of the ongoing England series in Rajkot. He will become one of only 14 Indian players to play 100 Tests matches. This will happen in the last match of the series in Dharamsala.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Kumble said that people would truly appreciate Ashwin’s abilities and effect only after he retired from cricket.
“With some players, people miss what they brought to the table after they have retired, right? Some players are like that. Maybe people will realise the quality of Ash…. I know people are talking about him and what he has achieved already but especially in a country like India, bowlers don’t get the same kind of adulation that batters do. That’s the nature of how we look at cricket in our country.”
Anil Kumble
Kumble also praised Ashwin’s desire and love for the game, describing him as a leader among the bunch.
“We will probably realise his quality when retires and moves on. But in my book, Ash is in the top tier of players who have played for the country. I love his passion and hunger for the game. Apart from his bowling, he adds a lot more value both with his batting and his inputs on the field. Although he has not ever been given the position of a captain officially, he has always been a leader within the group and that’s something he can be proud of.”
Anil Kumble
Ashwin boasts a sensational Test record with the ball, picking up 507 wickets in 99 games at an average of 23.91, including 35 five-wicket hauls.
The ace spinner has also made his mark with the willow, accumulating 3,309 runs at an average of over 26 and five hundreds.
“No one is sure why he doesn’t get picked when India travel outside of the subcontinent” – Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble was very surprised why Ravichandran Ashwin does not play in Test cricket for India when they go to other countries. He does not understand why India does not pick Ashwin in Test matches outside places.
Despite fielding five bowlers, Team India has typically used four seamers and a lone spinner in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) matches in recent years.
Ashwin has struggled beyond the subcontinent, as indicated by his bowling averages of more than 40 in Australia and South Africa.
“No one is sure why he doesn’t get picked when India travel outside of the subcontinent. That’s a bit strange, something I always have been perplexed by. It did happen to me too, but his is very different. We tend to look at a fourth fast bowler (now) than somebody who is a match-winner, which is really strange. In my case at least, we were always playing four bowlers. But when you are playing five bowlers, then to not play your two best spinners is a bit, I don’t know, strange.”
Anil Kumble
Nonetheless, Kumble welcomed Ashwin into the 500-wicket club and believes the off-spinner has what it takes to exceed his total of 619 Test wickets.
“It’s nice that someone else has been able to get to that. Ash is still going strong, obviously he has all the ability to surpass (Kumble’s Indian record of 619 Test wickets). His ability to do exceptionally well as a match-winner, the consistency he has shown all these years, that’s a great hallmark. It’s not easy to do that. Especially in India, once you have raised the bar, to keep performing at that level isn’t easy.”
Anil Kumble
While Kumble is fourth all-time in Test wickets, Ashwin is tenth overall and third among current players after James Anderson and Nathan Lyon.
In the present England series, the Tamil Nadu spinner has 17 wickets in four games with an average of 30.41.
