Ravichandran Ashwin included as Rangana Herath picks best spinners of current generation
Published - 09 Aug 2024, 05:56 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:17 AM
Legendary Sri Lankan spin bowler Rangana Herath has named his favorite spinners across the international teams in modern-day cricket. Rangana Herath picked veteran Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin, Australia's Nathan Lyon, and Keshav Maharaj from South Africa as his favorite spinners at the moment.
Herath is considered one of the best spinners in the history of Sri Lankan cricket. The former left-arm spinner took more than 100 wickets in first-class cricket and secured 500 wickets in international cricket, including 400 in red-ball cricket, during his illustrious career for the Sri Lankan national team.
The 46-year-old also played a crucial role in Sri Lanka's first T20 World Cup win in 2014. He delivered a standout performance against New Zealand with a five-wicket haul. Rangana Herath took five wickets for just three runs, including two maidens, in his 3.3 overs. The Lankan team defeated India in the final to clinch the title.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon - Rangana Herath
Rangana Herath named his favorite spinners of the current generation, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Nathan Lyon, and Keshav Maharaj. He also stated that he enjoys watching Kuldeep Yadav. Herath mentioned that Prabath Jayasuriya from Sri Lanka has impressed him.
“It’s got to be Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon if you take finger spinners. Another one I like is of course Keshav Maharaj from South Africa. I’m also always very keen on watching Kuldeep Yadav bowl I mean. As for Sri Lanka, of course, Prabath Jayasuriya, so yes, these are some of the names that come across my mind,” said Rangana Herath during interaction with Arvind Krishnan as quoted by CricBlog.
Rangana Herath last played for Sri Lanka in a Test match against England at the Galle International Stadium in November 2018. He took 434 wickets in 93 Tests at an average of 28.08 and a strike rate of 60.03, with a best bowling performance of 9/127. He secured 74 wickets in 71 ODIs and 18 wickets in T20Is.
Sri Lanka's spinners Dominated In Recent ODI Series vs India
Sri Lanka's spinners were exceptional in their recent ODI series against India. The Sri Lankan spinners secured 27 wickets against India's strong batting lineup in the recently concluded three-match ODI series. This is the highest number of wickets taken by any team in a bilateral series of fewer than four matches.
Sri Lanka had a standout performer in each match of the ODI series. Dunith Wellalage picked up a five-wicket haul in the third and final match in Colombo. Jeffrey Vandersay secured a seven-wicket haul in the second match. Wanindu Hasaranga and Chaith Asalanka bagged three wickets each in the first ODI match.
The Indian spinners took 16 wickets in the series. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav took five and four wickets, respectively. Sri Lanka ended a long-standing streak by winning their first ODI series against India since 1997. Rohit Sharma became only the third Indian captain to lose an ODI series to Sri Lanka.
