Cheteshwar Pujara, a skilled Indian cricket player, salutes Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin prepares for his 100th Test match in Dharamsala this week. Cheteshwar Pujara speaks highly of Ashwin, now 37, calling him among the most fit players.
This will make seasoned off-spinner Ashwin the 14th Indian to reach his 100th Test. Since launching his career in 2011, this 37-year-old player has become a favorite and often wins matches for India, particularly on home soil. Ashwin also boasts of five Test centuries, three of which were achieved in India.
In his ESPNCricinfo essay, Cheteshwar Pujara predicted that Ashwin would come up the next day with the same energy, even if he had bowled 35-40 overs the day before.
“When you are playing the longer format, bowling fitness is the most important thing, and Ash is probably one of the fittest I have known. If he ends up bowling 30, 35, 40 overs in a day, when he bowls again the next morning, his body might be a little fatigued, but he still has the stamina to carry on.”
Cheteshwar Pujara
The Saurashtra hitter saw Ashwin’s smart thinking and joked that no one could win a debate with the off-spinner.
“We became close friends by talking cricket. Most times we are on the same side, but you can never win an argument against him. He is very smart, and his vocabulary is probably among the best in the cricketing fraternity. I wish I had his incredible memory. That is probably because he has a mind that is always ticking. Away from cricket, he is a voracious reader, enjoys chess online, and is open to learning new things.”
Cheteshwar Pujara
The bowler’s been in tight spots during the England series. Although, he clinched 17 wickets in four Tests, landing him as fourth top wicket snatcher so far.
“When it comes to my favorite Test involving Ash, there are too many to just single one out” – Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara went on to say that Ravichandran Ashwin has also played some of the finest second-fiddle roles in India’s victories, highlighting some of his best performances. The 36-year-old ranked his performance against Australia in Bengaluru in 2017 as his finest, saying:
“More than making individual runs, he has contributed to valuable partnerships. Take our stand in the first innings in 2018 in Adelaide, which was crucial to our win in that Test, which set up the series.
“When it comes to my favourite Test involving Ash, there are too many to just single one out. There’s Bangalore 2017. Adelaide 2018. Sydney 2021. All these were against Australia. Overall, and Ash would agree, those of us who played the Bangalore Test believe it ranks high among the most memorable ones.”
Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara feels the veteran spinner deserves to reach the milestone of 100 Tests, given how he approaches each challenge front on. He added:
“Having just become the second quickest bowler to 500 Test wickets, Ash now deserves another equally significant landmark – of 100 Tests. He’s probably a little late getting there for various reasons. But I am really happy for him. He is someone who has always been ready to take the challenge on and do the hard yards for the team. He deserves it the most.”
Cheteshwar Pujara
Along with Ashwin, Jonny Bairstow will play his 100th Test at Dharamsala.