Ravichandran Ashwin Is 'One Of The Greats Of The Game', Says Jasprit Bumrah

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah was effusive in his praise for premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who broke New Zealand‘s opening partnership in the ongoing WTC Final at the Ageas Bowl. The off-spinner smartly slowed down his pace, lulled Tom Latham into a false stroke and skipper Virat Kohli took a sharp catch at short cover.

Bumrah, who wasn’t exactly on the money on Day 3 in Southampton, called Ravichandran Ashwin as “one of the greats of the game” and someone whose record of over 400 Test wickets “speaks of itself”.

“I think he is one of the greats of the game because if you look at his records, it speaks of itself. He has done well with the bat as well as with the ball. He has picked more than 400 test wickets and that doesn’t come by chance,” Jasprit Bumrah said in a video posted by ICC.

Ravichandran Ashwin always loves to come out of his comfort zone: Bharat Arun

India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun too heaped high praise for the Tamil Nadu all-rounder. Arun reckons Ravichandran Ashwin is someone who isn’t satisfied with his current state, and always looking to push himself out of his comfort zone to get better and try different things.

Arun marvels over the 34-year-old’s smart brains which helps him innovate varied stuff with his bowling and batting.

“Ashwin is not very happy with whatever he does, he always loves to come out of his comfort zone, learn new things, and develop different angles, and that’s what makes him so special.

“He understands his bowling, most often what bowlers actually do and what they think they are doing are two different things and so Ashwin understands the bowling to bridge this gap. So once this is bridged he has a bigger chance to innovate and that makes him very special,” Bharat Arun said.

Ravichandran Ashwin will have an important role going forward not just in the ongoing WTC Final but also in the Test series against England as both teams have a number of left-handers in their line-up. Currently, at the end of Day 3 in Southampton, New Zealand are slightly in front of India, but it wouldn’t take much time for Indian bowlers to turn the tide.