By India Today Sports Desk: According to former wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta, R Ashwin is not just a modern-day great, but also one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game. Ashwin made a remarkable comeback, achieving his 33rd 5-wicket haul in Test cricket on Day 1 of India’s first Test against the West Indies at Windsor Park in Roseau on Wednesday, June 12.
Despite having 479 wickets in 93 matches, Ashwin has had to prove himself time and again. While his contemporary Nathan Lyon has already played over 100 Tests, Ashwin is yet to reach this milestone.
Ashwin was also excluded from the World Test Championship 2021-23 final in June, even though he was the highest wicket-taker for India in that period. However, the experienced player rejoined the team on the opening day of the 1st Test against the West Indies, leading a strong bowling performance on a slow pitch in Dominica.
Ashwin quickly made an impact after being introduced into the attack in the 9th over, taking the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpual. He later dismissed West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who had made 20 runs. Thanks to Ashwin’s efforts, the West Indies lost half of their batting lineup and reached a score of only 76.
Although Alick Athanaze fought back with a score of 47, Ashwin denied him a half-century. “The difference in the class of Ravichandran Ashwin the bowler, and the [West Indies] batters was evident. He would have been disappointed not to be a part of the final, but leaving the disappointment behind, he came and was a thorough professional and did what he does,” said Deep Dasgupta to ESPNCricinfo.
Ashwin showcased his bowling prowess, securing figures of 5 for 60, demonstrating control, class, and variations in his spell. Deep Dasgupta expressed his surprise when Ashwin was left out of the WTC Final XI, but he clearly had no surprise witnessing the off-spinner’s magic against the West Indies, even on a challenging Day 1 pitch.
“Ashwin possesses an array of bowling variations, and he knows how and when to use them. It’s one thing to have these variations, and it’s another thing to know when to execute them. Undoubtedly, he is among the modern-day greats and will undoubtedly finish as one of the greatest players of all time,” remarked Dasgupta.
India ended the day at 80 for 0, with debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal approaching his fifty and captain Rohit Sharma unbeaten on 30.
Reference: India Today Sports Desk
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