Graeme Swann claims Ravichandran Ashwin is the professor of spin bowling

Former England right-arm off-spinner Graeme Swann who was a part of the English squad that won the 4-match Test series by 2-1 against India in 2012, feels that Ravichandran Ashwin is perhaps the professor of spin bowling. Swann made these comments in the light of Ashwin becoming the latest bowler to enter the 500-wicket club during the 3rd Test against England here in Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah stadium.

Ravichandran Ashwin first contributed with the bat during the 1st innings, scoring 37 runs and partnering with Dhruv Jurel for a 77-run stand that helped India post 445 on the board. Then during England’s 1st innings with the bat, it was Ashwin who gave India the first breakthrough.

The 37-year-old bowled a well-flighted delivery to Zak Crawley who tried to sweep it away but it ended up taking a leading edge and landed in the hands of Rajat Patidar. That was Ashwin’s 500th Test scalp and his 10th wicket overall in the series as he picked up 6 in the 1st Hyderabad Test before claiming another 3 at Vishakhapatnam where India brought the 5-match series on level terms.

However, after his 500th wicket and stumps on day 2, the BCCI confirmed that India have been handed a setback as Ravichandran Ashwin pulled himself out of the entirety of the 3rd Test due to a medical emergency with his mother.

“Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad, effective immediately due to a family medical emergency. In these challenging times, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team fully supports Ashwin.”

“The BCCI extends its heartfelt support to the champion cricketer and his family. The health and well-being of the players and their loved ones are of utmost importance. The Board requests respect for the privacy of Ashwin and his family as they navigate through this challenging time,” the BCCI wrote on its official website.

Following his exclusion from the 3rd Test, the entire cricketing fraternity gathered together to wish him all the luck.

“It’s very difficult for other but not Ashwin” – Swann opines on Ravichandran Ashwin

Graeme Swann stated that Ravichandran Ashwin is not just a student of the game but also a professor of spin. The Englishman claimed that it was inevitable for him to pick up his 500th Test wicket in the 3rd Test at Rajkot, almost as if it was written in the stars. He further stated that he is a big fan of Ashwin and that achieving this incredible feat in less than 100 Tests is just spectacular.

“It’s very difficult for people but not Ashwin. His character demands that. He is a student of the game, like a professor of spin bowling. It was going to come in this Test match, probably fitting that it was the first wicket to fall. Just when India needed that breakthrough, he is the man who got it,” Swann said as quoted by Sportstar.

“I have got to take my hat off to him. It is brilliant to see, especially a finger spinner to get to 500 Test wickets. I have always been a huge fan of his bowling. To get to 500 Test wickets in less than 100 Tests is a massive thing,” Swann concluded.