After Ravichandran Ashwin’s magnificent knock of unbeaten 42 in the final test of the Bangladesh series, cricket fans and experts have crowned him to be the best all-rounder India has ever produced. Yes, Ashwin has given some magnificent all-round performances in the past but only statistics can prove if he is India’s best yet. So, in this blog, we will explore various aspects of R Ashwin’s game and try to find out if he is India’s best all-rounder statistically.
R Ashwin’s Record as a Bowler
Ashwin was always an off-spinner first who was known for handling the willow well to offer resistance with a proper batter or tail. He is currently one of the leading off-spinners with 449 wickets in 88 games, 5 short of Nathan Lyon who has 454 wickets in this format. Ashwin’s average and strike rates are better than the legendary Shane Warne and Muthiah Muralidharan’s. He is a beast in Asian conditions where he has 362 wickets from 60 matches at an average of 21.44. Only Anil Kumble, with 619 test scalps, is ahead of Ashwin at the moment.
Stats of R Ashwin the Batter
Ashwin’s numbers are pretty good and consistent in test cricket with the bat in hand. In the 88 games he has represented India, he has aggregated more than 3000 runs with the help of 5 centuries and 13 half-centuries. He averages slightly over 27. The majority of the time, Ashwin has preferred to play either at 8 or 9 but whenever he got the number 6 position, his records improve. At 6, Ashwin has 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries with an average of a tad over 35. He is a great reader of situations as well. He never throws his wicket away and attacks those when the odds are in his favor.
Comparison of Ashwin with Other Legends
R Ashwin became the 2nd quickest to reach the milestone of 3000 runs and 400 wickets in test cricket during his unbeaten 42 in the final test against Bangladesh. He reached this milestone in 88 test matches. Only the great Richard Hadley took fewer matches to 3000 test runs and 400 wickets. En route to this milestone, Ashwin left behind some other legendary all-rounders like Kapil Dev and Shaun Pollock.
Top Test Knocks of Ashwin
Given below are some of the top and memorable test knocks of Ravichandran Ashwin that prove he is one of the leading all-rounders in current times –
- 42* against Bangladesh in Dhaka, December 25, 2022
- 106 against England in Chennai, February 2021
- 39* against Australia in Sydney, January 2021
- 56* against South Africa in Delhi, 2015
- 103 against West Indies in Mumbai, 2011
- 113 against West Indies in Antigua, 2016
- 118 against West Indies in Gros Islet, 2016
- 124 against West Indies in Kolkata, 2013
Conclusion
Rarely has cricket seen players who have mastery over one skill and above average in another and R Ashwin is on that list of players. We are not saying that he already belongs in the list of the greatest all-rounders India has ever produced or in world cricket. He is 36 and a couple of years down the lane, who knows? A few extraordinary innings and he will be right there – among the top all-rounders in India and world cricket.