R Ashwin retires from international cricket: 5 underrated knocks by the ace spinner
Ace Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket immediately after the conclusion of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test and will play no further part in the ongoing series. Ashwin was part of the playing XI in the second pink ball Test in Adelaide but had to warm the benches in the other two.
Ashwin finished his career as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the longest format, behind only the legendary Anil Kumble. The off-spinner was always professional about his business and turned out to be one of India’s biggest match-winners in home Tests.
Besides his numerous exploits with the ball, Ashwin is more than a handy batter and bailed India out of tough situations on a few occasions. A naturally gifted stroke-maker, he played several stellar knocks in international cricket. His batting took a back seat as his career progressed, but he put up fighting performances from time to time.
Let us now have a look at five underrated knocks by Ravichandran Ashwin in international cricket:
# 5. 91 vs England in Kolkata, 2012
England's tour of India in 2012 was the Men in Blue's last series loss at home before the recent whitewash against New Zealand. In the third match of the four-Test series, which was tied at 1-1, India won the toss and batted first.
India posted 316 on the board and seemed confident of knocking the visitors off cheaply. However, Alastair Cook (190) and Jonathan Trott (87) had other ideas, as England posted a massive score of 523 in the first innings. A massive lead put the visitors in a commanding position, and India needed their batters to step up in the second innings.
Ashwin arrived at the crease with India's score reading 122/6 and needing 85 more runs to make England bat again. Ashwin came out firing on all cylinders and defied the England bowlers with a resilient knock of 91, studded with 15 boundaries. It remains one of his most underrated knocks in Test cricket. However, Ashwin's efforts went in vain as England registered a seven-wicket win.
# 4. 65 vs New Zealand in Auckland, 2014
While Ashwin established himself as an all-rounder in the longest format, his ODI record as a batter left a lot to be desired. However, he made his presence felt with a brilliant 65 against New Zealand in the third ODI of the 2014 tour.
New Zealand posted 314 on the board after batting first. The visitors were staring down the barrel when Ashwin joined Ravindra Jadeja at the crease, reeling at 184/6 in the 36th over with MS Dhoni the latest to be dismissed.
Ashwin and Jadeja bailed India out of the hole with a terrific partnership which got India within touching distance of the victory. Ashwin looked at his fluent best and raced to a career-best 65 off 46 deliveries, which included eight fours and a six. He couldn't stay there till the end, but ensured India managed to tie the game.
# 3. 42* vs Bangladesh in Mirpur, 2022
Another underrated knock from Ashwin came during the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2022. Ashwin joined Shreyas Iyer in the middle at 74/7 in the second innings and the duo ensured that India kept their record against Bangladesh in Test cricket intact.
India took a sizable 87-run lead in the first innings, but Bangladesh batted well in the second innings on a pitch that was offering enough assistance to the spinners. The target of 145 looked quite a distance away when India lost their seventh wicket for just 74 runs.
Bangladesh sensed a famous victory but Iyer and Ashwin defied the hosts' spinners and scripted a memorable victory which eventually paved the way for their qualification in the WTC final. Ashwin showed patience and struck four fours and a six during his unbeaten knock of 42 to take his side home.
# 2. 106 vs England in Chennai, 2021
Despite this century against England being the best of his Test career, Ashwin hasn't been praised enough for this knock, which came against a quality England attack on a rank turner. He scored a magnificent century in the second innings to set up a resounding win for India.
India were bowled out for 329 in the first innings and England responded with a below-par performance. They could only muster 134 in their first innings, leaving India well ahead in the game. The hosts lost a heap of wickets in the second innings and were reduced to 106/6 when Ashwin joined Virat Kohli in the middle and produced a masterclass.
Ashwin looked composed in the middle and was never afraid to play his shots. He mostly played with a straight bat and neutralized the spinners' effect to a great extent. His 106-run knock was laced with 14 fours and a six. India eventually won the game by 317 runs.
# 1. 113 vs Bangladesh in Chennai, 2024
Ashwin’s batting record at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is quite remarkable, but he hasn't always received the plaudits for his knocks at this venue.
The off-spinner has been a crisis man for India on several occasions and the opening Test against Bangladesh in Chennai was no different. The visitors were high on confidence after defeating Pakistan 2-0 in their own den. The bowlers breathed fire as they reduced India to 144/6 in the first innings.
Ashwin came at the crease when the chips were down and left after scoring an incredible century, which put India in a commanding situation. His knock was all about class and timing as he scored 113 off 133 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries and two sixes.
India eventually secured a 280-run win in the contest.