Ravichandran Ashwin: Recap of the all-rounder’s Man of the Series performances

Ravichandran Ashwin has gone past the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to win six Man of the Series Award already.

Ravichandran Ashwin has had an excellent Test career so far and has already broken many records along the way. He has his eyes set on a few more records as well. In the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, he has the chance to break Waqar Younis’ record of becoming the fastest bowler to the 200-wicket mark. Aswhin in his 36 Tests so far has won the man of the series on six occasions, going past legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Ashwin, without a shadow of a doubt is a match-winner for India with the ball, but has shown great temperament with the bat as well, notching up four centuries, including a couple batting as high as No. 4. His limited-overs record too is praiseworthy. Let us have a closer look at Ashwin’s performances in series where he has won the player of the tournament award in the longest formats.

Ashwin’s Test career so far

M	W	BBI	BBM	Ave	5WI	10WM	R	Ave	50s	100s
36	193	7 for 66	12 for 85	25	18	5	1,439	34.26	6	4

Since Ashwin’s Test debut in 2011, he has won six player of the series awards out of the seven series India have won. The only series he missed out on was the Scahin Tendulkar’s farewell series at home, which Rohit Sharma was awarded the trophy, having made his Test debut in the series. What is even more impressive is that India have lost just one match in the last seven series they have won, which was the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. India bounced back extremely well to win the three-Test series 2-1, giving Virat Kohli his first win as skipper.

Ashwin in Sri Lanka 2015

M	W	BBI	BBM	Ave	5WI	10WM	R	Ave	50s	100s	HS
3	21	6 for 46	10 for 160	18.09	2	1	94	15.66	1	0	58

Ashwin has played 13 series since making his Test debut in 2011. Ashwin has been the team’s standout performer in every series, India have won. He leads the way by claiming most wickets with the ball and also chips in with the bat, it will be interesting to see if Kohli and the Indian team management persist with him. If not, Ashwin has a good record batting down at No. 8 and can play his part when the team desperately needs him to.

The recently concluded series against West Indies at the Caribbean, Ashwin had the most prolific tournament for himself with the bat, notching up 235 runs at 58.75, with a couple of centuries as well.  He finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series with 17 wickets in four Tests.

Ashwin against West Indies 2016

M	W	BBI	BBM	Ave	5WI	10WM	R	Ave	50s	100s	HS
4	17	7 for 83	7 for 126	23.17	2	0	235	58.75	0	2	118

The earlier series against South Africa at home, all the tracks were rank turners and the Proteas found it difficult to negotiate the Indian spinner and Ashwin led the way with 31 wickets at an average of 11.12. Ashwin also scored a crucial fifty in the series.

Ashwin against South Africa 2015-16

M	W	BBI	BBM	Ave	5WI	10WM	R	Ave	50s	100s	HS
4	31	7 for 66	12 for 98	11.12	4	1	101	25.25	1	0	56

Now, let us go back to Ashwin’s first ever series, which was the 2011-12 Test series against West Indies at home. Ashwin had made a lot of noise with his performances in the domestic circuit and it was time to see, if he could meet the expectations at the international stage. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh were the backbone of India’s bowling for a decade. With Kumble already having retired and Harbhajan not showing good form, it was important for India to find a reliable spinner, who could lead the bowling. Ashwin stepped up for India and is now an integral part of the Indian side. His spin partners kept changing, but Ashwin’s place has not been questioned.

Ashwin against West Indies 2011-12

M	W	BBI	BBM	Ave	5WI	10WM	R	Ave	50s	100s	HS
3	22	6 for 47	9 for 128	22.9	2	0	121	40.33	0	1	103

However, there have been criticisms against him when it comes to bowling in overseas conditions. He does not have a good record in Australia or England. Ashwin is now a matured bowler, and in time he may be able to better his records, when India tour those places next.

After a torrid Australia tour, India welcomed New Zealand for a two-Test series. Ashwin was on fire in that series, finishing with three five-wicket hauls as India completed a whitewash. New Zealand do not have a good record against India playing away and this series was no different.

Ashwin against New Zealand 2012

M	W	BBI	BBM	Ave	5WI	10WM	R	Ave	50s	100s	HS
2	18	6 for 31	12 for 85	13.11	3	1	69	69	0	0	37

After a disappointing series against England at home, Australia visited India for a four-Test series. It will always be remembered for the entire “homeworkgate” episode when the then Australia coach Micky Arthur sent a few players back as they did not do the homework assigned to them. But India ran rampage in the entire series, thrashing Australia 4-0. But the series turned out to be a fruitful one for Ashwin as he finished with 29 wickets.

M	W	BBI	BBM	Ave	5WI	10WM	R	Ave	50s	100s	HS
4	29	7 for 103	12 for 198	20.1	4	1	20	5	0	0	12

While Ashwin has been magnificent for India over the years, he still has a lot to offer Indian cricket. The fact that India have won so many series after Ashwin’s arrival on the international stage, shows how much he has contributed to the team’s benefit at least in the longest format. Even in the limited-overs format, he is a sensible bowler, who is a wicket-taker and at the same time does not give away too many runs. He will perhaps have to improve his game outside the subcontinent, against good opponents, in testing conditions. India have a long Test season ahead of them and it will not be surprising to see Ashwin being India’s best bowler this season.

(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry.com. He is a sport enthusiast and a keen observer of cricket, the contests, and its personalities. When not tracking cricket, he follows the world’s soccer leagues and is somewhat partial towards Liverpool. His Twitter handle is @pramz)

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