In the Chennai Test, Ashwin scored a counter-attacking 113 in the first innings and took a six-wicket haul in the final innings to help his team win the game
Our Bureau
Kanpur, UP
The era of ‘Gamball’ is well underway after Rahul Dravid guided India to its ultimate dream as the head coach. During his reign, India ended more than a decade-long wait for the ICC World Cup trophy by lifting the T20 title earlier this year. As Dravid’s tenure ended, Gautam Gambhir was named as his successor.
Ashwin has had the opportunity to play under the wing of both stars. He pointed out that there isn’t a huge gap between Gambhir and Dravid’s approach or the passion that the duo shares for Indian cricket.
“I was seeing some posts about ‘Gamball’–someone had shared something about it, which was interesting. But look, the coaches are here for the welfare of the team, and I don’t see huge differences in how they approach the game or the passion they have for Indian cricket. Their passion is at the highest level. I mean, they bring an incredible amount of love to that dressing room,” Ashwin said on JioCinema after the match.
“I feel a bit sheepish saying this, but I played with Gauti Bhai and Rahul Bhai, and they’ve been my coaches in that dressing room. Their passion for Indian cricket is palpable, and it’s amazing to witness. To have them pass on their knowledge, it’s like having two cricketing geeks to talk cricket with, and I couldn’t be happier or more at ease,” he added.
The new era of Indian cricket has begun with a mixed bag of results. In Gautam Gambhir’s first T20I assignment as coach, India won the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Days after securing the series, India unprecedentedly lost the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, India bounced back in the Test format to complete the series sweep over Bangladesh.
After India extended its lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings, their focus will now shift to T20I format for the three-match series against Bangladesh. India’s focus will then move to Test cricket for the three-match series against New Zealand.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricket and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Ramiz Raja said that Indian veteran Ravichandran Ashwin has not been celebrated enough as an all-rounder. calling him a “no-nonsense cricketer”.
Ramiz’s remarks come after the all-rounder’s fine performance during the two-match series against Bangladesh at home. He was given the ‘Player of the Series’ award for scoring 114 runs, including a counter-attacking century in the first Test at his home in Chennai and taking 11 wickets.
Speaking on his Youtube Channel, Ramiz said, “He (Ashwin) has not been celebrated as much as he should be as an all-rounder. If you look at his record, he is not less than anyone. He is a no-nonsense cricketer, takes everything in his stride. Even when he is the 12th man or is out of the team, there are no tantrums. He understands the team’s situation and his responsibility,”
Ramiz said that whenever Ashwin gets a chance, he plays brilliantly and there is a lot to learn from the veteran.
“He is opinionated but not like he does a lot of critical analysis of anything off the field. He has an intelligent take on the game, which shows in his comments,” he added.
The Indian all-rounder broke a lot of records and unlocked a lot of milestones in the series, both with the bat and the ball. He levelled with Sri Lankan great Mutthiah Muralitharan to become player with joint-most ‘Player of the Series’ records, with a total of 11.
In the Chennai Test, Ashwin scored a counter-attacking 113 in the first innings and took a six-wicket haul in the final innings to help his team win the game.
This was the fourth instance of Ashwin securing a century and five-wicket haul in a Test. Only England legend Ian Botham is ahead of Ashwin in this aspect, having managed to do this feat five times.
Also, this was Ashwin’s 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Now, he has tied with legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne for joint second-most fifers in the longest format of the game. The only one ahead of Ashwin is Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 67 five-wicket hauls.
