Shane Warne acclaims Ravichandran Ashwin and Yasir Shah's recent performances

Yasir Shah and Ravichandran Ashwin

Legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne praised current spin stalwarts Ravichandran Ashwin and Yasir Shah, hailing their recent performances for their respective national sides.

In a tweet posted after Pakistan’s victory over West Indies in the first day-night Test on Asian soil, Warne congratulated Yasir Shah and Ashwin for their records, hoping that they can continue their form on all surfaces around the world. He also added that he loved watching both of them bowl.

Ashwin responded to the tweet with a thank you message, stating that the wish meant a ‘world to me’. 

Congrats @Shah64Y & @ashwinravi99 on your records. I hope this form continues on all surfaces around the world as I love watching u guys

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) October 17, 2016

@ShaneWarne thank you so much, this wish from you means the world to me.

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) October 18, 2016

Ashwin was the wrecker-in-chief for the Indian team against the visiting New Zealand side in the recently concluded three-Test series, claiming 27 wickets and tumbling a number of records in the process.

He also grabbed the Man of the Series award, his seventh overall, and his fourth consecutive in Tests. He also took his 21st five-wicket haul in the final Test, as well as his sixth ten-wicket haul in a match. Only Anil Kumble (8) has more ten-wicket hauls for India.

On the other hand, Yasir Shah has quickly risen up the ranks to become one of the top spinners in world cricket at the moment, spearheading his side to victories with his leg-spin, a trade Warne employed until a decade back. In July this year, he became second in the list of most wickets by an overseas spinner at Lord’s, going past Warne, who took 8-159 in 1993.

In the day-night Test at Dubai, Shah became the joint second-fastest to reach the 100 wicket mark in Tests, reaching the landmark in 17 matches, neck to neck with Clarrie Grimmett, Sydney Barnes and Charlie Turner. Ashwin is one behind Shah, having taken 18 matches to achieve the feat. 

Yasir Shah was recently labelled as the ‘best leg-spinner in the world’ by Shane Warne after the latter joined the Pakistani tweaker for a training session early this year. Warne, who himself was a colossal figure in world cricket throughout the 90s and the early 2000s, is the most successful leg-spinner in international cricket, with a grand total of 1001 wickets across both formats.