India vs England 5th Test: There are not many cricketers in the world who have gone on to play 100 international matches for their country, and then there are some who set the bar high and gear up to play their 100th Test match – India’s ace spinner R Ashwin is one of them. The veteran spinner will receive his 100th Test cap during the India vs England 5th test in Dharmshala on Thursday, March 07.
Labelled as one of the greats of the red-ball game, R Ashwin recently touched a string of milestones following his landmark 500th test wicket. He became the ninth bowler in the history of the game to pick 500 or more wickets and only second Indian after legendary spinner Anil Kumble.
Since making his debut in 2010, Ashwin has been India’s top bowler in different formats. Early on in his career, he took all three formats of the game heads-on and tasted decent success, however, eventually, the spinner would go on to become a test giant.
37-year-old Ashwin has dominated the test charts for close to a decade now, especially on home conditions. With his canny ability to strike down the opposition and sheer brilliance to outplay them, Ashwin, today, stands as one of the best craftsmen who has ever played the sport of cricket at the highest level.
BCCI celebrates R Ashwin’s milestone ahead of India vs England 5th Test
As R Ashwin takes his landmark 100th Test cap, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a video sharing the cricketer’s view and emotions as he adds another feather to his decorated hat.
Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, who has closely spent a few years with Ashwin during his tenure as the Indian coach, lauded him for the massive milestone.
“It’s not often, you can say that about spinners but you knew very clearly, that he would be the next. The astronaut that he [R Ashwin] is and the wavelengths he gets onto, comes naturally to him and you can see the skill factors just getting better and better,” Ravi Shastri said.
R Ashwin is a Cricket Scientist says, Rohit Sharma
Indian captain Rohit Sharma, too, was all praise for the spinner on the eve of the India vs England 5th Test in Dharmshala. The skipper asserted that Ashwin has been a match-winner for the team over the years.
“[It’s a] big achievement for any player to play 100 Tests. It is a big milestone. He has been a match-winner for us. What he has done for us, no praise is enough,” Rohit said on the eve of the match.
“His performances over the last five-seven years, every series he has contributed. It is rare to have players like him,” he added.
Rohit Sharma termed Ashwin as “Cricket Scientist”, who has evolved over the years. The veteran spinner used to be an opener early on in his career, but started bowling and is now an impeccable star for the team.
“As a captain, I have seen him since U-19, U-17 days. He batted at that time, was an opener and then he started bowling. And I used to bowl [off-spin] and then became a batsman, so it became up and down for us but it has been good for Indian cricket.” Ashwin, the “cricket scientist”, has evolved a lot in these 14 years, feels Rohit.
Watch Full Video: BCCI.TV