Dinesh Karthik Hails Ravichandran Ashwin as One of the Greatest All-Rounders
Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on Ravichandran Ashwin, asserting that the off-spinner deserves a place among the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. Ashwin’s standout performance in the first Test against Bangladesh at his home ground, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, was instrumental in India’s commanding 280-run victory.
Ashwin made a significant impact with both bat and ball. In the first innings, India was struggling at 144-6 when Ashwin joined forces with Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin quickly found his rhythm, displaying exquisite timing as he compiled a brilliant knock of 113 runs—his sixth Test century. His 199-run partnership with Jadeja helped India recover and post a formidable total of 376 runs.
Although Ashwin went wicketless in Bangladesh’s first innings, he made a strong comeback in the second, claiming 6-88. His 37th five-wicket haul equaled Shane Warne’s record and pushed Ashwin past Courtney Walsh’s career tally of 519 Test wickets. Ashwin’s all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award.
Karthik, speaking on Cricbuzz, expressed his admiration for Ashwin’s achievements, emphasizing the spinner’s remarkable consistency and versatility.
“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,” Karthik said.
Karthik also highlighted Ashwin’s impressive strike rate among bowlers with over 400 Test wickets, noting that only South Africa’s Dale Steyn has a better record. “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,’” he added.
Karthik emphasized that Ashwin’s presence is crucial for India, especially in home conditions where the off-spinner’s record is formidable. “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,” Karthik stated.
As Ashwin continues to cement his legacy, the spotlight now shifts to the second Test between India and Bangladesh, which will be played at Green Park in Kanpur fromSeptember 27.
