R Ashwin placed on the same pedestal as James Anderson after Chennai Test

Veteran off-spinner R Ashwin earned widespread praise for his exceptional performance in the first Test match between India and Bangladesh at Chennai. Ashwin was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round performance on his home ground.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was full of praise for Ashwin and claimed that age is just a number. Manjrekar feels that Ashwin's career should progress just like James Anderson's career who played for Test cricket for England till the age of 42.

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Sanjay Manjrekar compares R Ashwin's career with James Anderson

After the match, Sanjay Manjrekar lauded R Ashwin for getting better with age. Manjrekar noted that Ashwin's performances haven't dipped despite his age and there is no age factor when it comes to his performances.

"I watch the match and accordingly I assume the age of a player, with the way they run and play. MS Dhoni, in his prime, when he was no longer a youngster, he was the fastest in running between the wickets. In the same way, when I watch Ashwin bowl and the way he bats, age is just a number. The age factor does not come to mind when looking at his performances," Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.

The former India batter also mentioned that R Ashwin's career should progress just like how James Anderson's career did. He praised Ashwin for not losing his bowling and batting form despite playing for so long.

"Just like how James Anderson's career progressed by taking rest consistently, Ashwin's career should also progress in the same way. As long as he keeps performing like this, he will always get motivation. I find it amazing that his bowling has never lost touch and he has batted with the same enthusiasm. When you have such a mind, the body has to follow it," Manjrekar added.

James Anderson's incredible Test career

James Anderson is one of the greatest bowlers to have ever played the game. The England legend played 188 Tests in his career and took a staggering 704 wickets at an average of 26.45.

The 42-year-old picked up 32 five-wicket hauls in his Test career. Anderson is third on the list of overall highest wicket-takers in Test cricket, only behind Muthiah Muralidaran and Shane Warne.

Anderson's longevity despite being a fast bowler was the hallmark of his legendary career. R Ashwin could also follow the same path and prolong his international career. Ashwin is currently 38 but is still at the top of his form.

R Ashwin's current form

The offspinner has also been able to maintain high levels of fitness despite playing at this age. Ashwin has played 101 Tests for India and picked up 522 wickets at an average of 23.70 with 37 five-wicket hauls to his name.

In the first Test against Bangladesh, R Ashwin went wicketless in the first innings but picked up a magnificent six-wicket haul in the second innings.

He picked up 6-88 and helped India clinch a commanding win over Bangladesh. Ashwin also shone with the bat as he scored a brilliant counter-attacking hundred in the first innings.