Ravichandran Ashwin: India’s Test sensation

India are scheduled to play 13 Tests this season and all at home. And Ravichandran Ashwin — India's cynosure of bowling attack — will feed on his favourite conditions and add more records to his illustrious career.

Until the late 1990s, India thrived on the services of leg-spinner Anil Kumble. However, they needed a player who can wickedly outfox a batsman with both turn and bounce. Enter Harbhajan Singh, and India’s off-spinner hunt came to a halt. In 2001, he was awarded Man of the Series for scalping 32 wickets in a home series against Australia. And since then, the Turbanator’s wizardly spin left the greatest of batsmen spellbound. He then upped the ante by making his bat talk. In fact, he has scored two hundreds coupled with a few vital innings down the order. As a result, selectors did not look beyond him.

The likes of Nikhil Chopra and Sarandeep Singh were given a chance in 2000, but their impact did not last long. All the same, Kumble and Harbhajan formed a devastating duo and handed India many a victory. After Kumble’s retirement, Harbhajan was made India’s mainstay spinner. Be it any format, he excelled in each of them. Gradually, he went on to turn his dream into reality: he won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. And then came his downfall. His magic somehow faded away. He no longer could emulate the stunning spells that he did in the early 2000. He was eventually dropped, compelling the selectors to start looking for another off-spinner.

India, as a matter of fact, had plethora of spinners in the domestic circuit. Meanwhile, Indian Premier League (IPL) produced exceptional cricketers, and one of them was Ravichandran Ashwin.

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He made his first appearance in IPL 2009, playing only two games. Nonetheless, it was in IPL 2010 that he made headlines with his accurate off-spin bowling. He was often seen opening the bowling for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a tactic that Martin Crowe popularised in ICC Cricket World Cup 1992.

He looked like every other off-spinner. There was nothing ordinary about his action either. But MS Dhoni used him to optimum effect. More than the bowling abilities, Dhoni knew Ashwin is a sharp reader of the game. He used him in the mandatory powerplay as well as death overs. And Ashwin gave his captain what was asked of him: crucial breakthroughs. Moreover, he pocked Man of the Series in Champions League 2010.

He was then drafted in India’s squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. His first encounter was in the quarter-final against Australia, a do-or-die contest. Yet again, Dhoni handed him the new ball. Ashwin did what he does the best: bowl accurately and keep a lid on the runs. Eventually, in the process, Ashwin made early inroads, dismissing the rampaging Shane Watson.

Every time he was given the opportunity, he made sure he translates talent into performance.

Meanwhile, Harbhajan’s performance in India’s tour of West Indies and England (2011) was abysmal. Though India won series in the Caribbean, they lost to England 4-0. For the first time in many years, India’s spin department looked toothless.

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Besides, Ashwin was knocking at the door, trying to make his way to national Test side by putting up stellar performances in the domestic arena.

Push came to shove and selectors dropped Harbhajan, replacing him with Ashwin.

As fate would have it, Ashwin picked up 24 wickets in his maiden series, eventually earning the Man of the Series. However, it was not smooth sailing for him when he bowled outside the subcontinent. He was reduced to nothingness during Border-Gavaskar trophy 2011-12. He was labelled as a bowler who could provide impetus only in home conditions.

In the meantime, he went on a record-breaking spree. He became the fastest Indian to take 50, 100 and 150 wickets. His dismal performances overseas did not inhibit him from scaling new heights at home. It was by default that Ashwin ends up being India’s highest wicket-taker in any given home series.

As he grew in stature, he added variations in his armoury. He knew it was imperative that he adds variety if he is to excel in all three formats. He practised using the carom ball in IPL. He was punished every time he misdirected it. However, for the resilient individual he is known for, he stuck to it and did not shy away from using it at crucial junctures, especially the one he bowled to Hashim Amla in ICC World T20 2014. Wasn’t that a peach of a delivery?

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Be that as it may, Ashwin’s struggle overseas continued. He was dropped from the first Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2014-15. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma was picked instead. Karn was taken to the cleaners by the mighty Australians. Ashwin, who had enough experience under his belt, was sidelined in the series opener. The reason was fair and square: his numbers outside India were rather atrocious.

He was picked in the next three matches. To put things into perspective, he proved his critics wrong. Not that he took stunning five-fors but at least scalped crucial wickets.

Ashwin played a key role in India’s tour of Sri Lanka 2015. He bagged another Man of the Series award, gifting India a series victory in Sri Lanka after 22 years.

He then continued domination in a home series against South Africa in 2015. Another series, another Man of the Series award for the maverick. Well, it does not stop here. In the recently concluded series against West Indies, he scored two centuries and picked up 17 wickets at 23.17, bagging his record sixth Man of the Series award, going past Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag’s tally of five awards.

More than a match, Ashwin displays series-influencing performances. Yes, India do have the likes of Virat Kohli or Ajinkya Rahane, but Ashwin’s contribution in the last half a decade has been peerless.

Let’s look at his staggering numbers now. In 26 Tests, he has taken 193 wickets at 25.20, including 18 five-wicket hauls; on the other hand, he has scored 1,439 runs at 34.26, inclusive of 4 hundreds and 6 fifties.

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As a matter of fact, he is the only Indian to score a hundred and take a five-for in a Test.

Truth be told, if there’s someone who justifies the tag people’s champion in the current Indian team, it has be Ashwin. He performs well with both bat and ball. In addition, he has come a long way when it comes to fitness. He is often seen involved in discussions with the captain. In short, he is always in thick of the things.

India are scheduled to play 13 Tests this season and all at home. And Ashwin — India’s cynosure of bowling attack — will feed on his favourite conditions and add more records to his illustrious career.

(Kaustubh S. Mayekar, a reporter at CricketCountry, played cricket at U-16 level. Like his idol Rahul Dravid, he often shadow-practises cricket shots. His Twitter handle is @kaumedy_)

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