Former India player turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has recently claimed that he doesn’t consider veteran off-spinner R Ashwin as one of the greats of the game considering his SENA performances. But batting legend VVS Laxman said that there is no doubt in calling Ashwin as of the greats considering his match-winning performances for India throughout the years – be it at home or away conditions.
He has taken 409 wickets in 78 Tests which came at an average of 24.69 including 30 five-wicket hauls as well.
“…R Ashwin is a top-class off-spinner. There is no doubt he is one of the greats of the game,” Laxman was quoted as saying by India Today. “The way in which he has consistently won matches for India, not only but home, in the recent tour of Australia, is an example of his ability overseas. The way he restricted the run flow of the Australian batsmen (during 2020-21 Test series), the way he set Steve Smith out and got him out quite consistently shows he is high on confidence.”
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As Team India are ready to take on New Zealand in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final from June 18, Laxman has said that the team should play with both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the summit clash.
“I will definitely play both the spinners because what Ravindra Jadeja has shown in the recent past is he is not just a batsman who can play cameos but he can play big knocks, especially under pressure. I still remember the partnership he had with Ajinkya Rahane when the chips were down in Melbourne. Unfortunately, he got injured after that,” Laxman again shared.
However, Ravindra Jadeja has been in great form with both the bat and ball. He has picked up 220 wickets from 51 Tests at 24.32 including nine five-wicket hauls as well and Laxman said that he has shown a lot of improvement as a bowler.
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“I think Ravindra Jadeja will perform well as a batsman at No. 7 and being a left-hander, it will give the edge in the Indian batting line-up. As far as the bowling is concerned, it’s not just about the footmarks, Jadeja has become a versatile bowler, he has improved as a bowler, he can beat the batsman on the first day of the Test, he has improved in that aspect,” he concluded.
