Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s spin maestro, has been a cornerstone of the team, particularly in Test cricket. After the legendary Harbhajan Singh retired, Ashwin stepped up to lead the spin attack and has since played 100 Tests for India, continuing to deliver exceptional performances. At 37 years old, however, his career is nearing its twilight, prompting discussions about who might fill his shoes in the future. Dinesh Karthik, a former India cricketer, recently weighed in on who could be Ashwin’s successor.
Ashwin’s impact on Indian cricket is undeniable. In the 2023 World Cup, he featured in India’s opening match against Australia but was sidelined for the rest of the tournament. His last T20I appearance was during the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal against England.
While his white-ball career seems to be winding down, Ravichandran Ashwin is still expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. But as the team looks to the future, Karthik believes Washington Sundar is the leading candidate to inherit Ashwin’s mantle.
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“India are definitely looking for a next-gen off-spinner, as in the last India ‘A’ series against England Lions, they tried three off-spinners in three matches: Pulkit Narang, Washington Sundar, and Saransh Jain,” Dinesh Karthik shared on Cricbuzz.
He continued, “They are trying out and Washington Sundar is the front-runner behind Ravichandran Ashwin right now. He’s done well in whatever limited opportunities he’s got, and I feel he will get his due first before going to anybody else.”
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Ashwin’s contributions to Indian cricket are monumental. He has taken 516 wickets in 100 Tests, making him India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format, trailing only Anil Kumble, who has 619 wickets in 132 Tests. Beyond his bowling prowess, Ashwin has proven to be a valuable asset with the bat, scoring 3,309 runs in 141 innings at an average of 26.26, including five centuries. As the team contemplates the future, Ashwin’s legacy will undoubtedly be a high standard for the next generation to aspire to.
