India vs. Sri Lanka: India’s captain Rohit Sharma praised R. Ashwin and said he was impressed by the off-spinner’s ability to improve with every game he plays. Ashwin overtook Kapil Dev on the all-time wicket-taker list on Sunday.
R Ashwin is an absolute great in my eyes, says captain Rohit Sharma (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- R Ashwin passed Kapil Dev on the all-time wicket-taker list
- Rohit showered the record-breaking off-spinner with praise
- Ashwin and Jadeja starred in India’s victory over SL in the 1st Test
There is no doubting the greatness of R Ashwin and the off-spinner has left Rohit Sharma in awe with his ability to improve with every game, the Indian captain said after their dominant win over Sri Lanka in Test 1 of a 2 -Matches series in Mohali on Sunday.
R Ashwin on Sunday overtook the legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev to become India’s second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Ashwin passed Kapil’s 434-wicket tally and is now alongside Anil Kumble, who tops the Indian list with 619 wickets.
India vs Sri Lanka, Test 1 Day 3: Highlights
Ashwin returned to the side after an injury layoff during the limited-over series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, hitting a fifty and picking up 6 wickets in the first Test, which India won by one innings and 222 runs.
Ashwin is 9th on the all-time wicket-taker list, having won 436 wickets in 84 games with an amazing 24.26 average. Among active Test cricketers, Ashwin is the third-highest wicket-taker after English fast-bowling duo Stuart Broad (537) and James Anderson (640).
“In my eyes he is an absolute superstar. He has been playing for so many years and has played for the country. So many match-winning performances, so to me he’s an absolute superstar. People may have a different point of view from the point of view, but from my point of view it’s always great for me,” said Rohit Sharma.
“ASHWIN HAS CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY”
Rohit commended Ashwin for the landmark test which saw the off-spinner work alongside Ravindra Jadeja to cause trouble for the Sri Lankan batsmen. India took 16 wickets on Day 3 as Sri Lanka bundled for 174 and 178 in response to India’s first innings being declared 574/8 overall.
“When you grow up wanting to play Test cricket, you don’t dream of those things and to exceed that is a huge achievement for him. You know I’ve been watching Ashwin for a long time now and every time I watch he just seems to get better and better.
“Ashwin is such a player who always has confidence in his ability, what he wants to achieve and for the team,” said Rohit.
Ashwin’s spin-twin Jadeja also had a Test match to remember when he became the first Indian in 60 years to score over 150 points (175 not in the first innings) and hit a 5-wicket pull in a Test. Jadeja finished with 9 wickets in the Mohali test.
