England vs India 2018: Ravichandran Ashwin is a World-Class Spinner - Saqlain Mushtaq

Legendary Pakistan spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq has hailed team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who boasts an impressive record in Test cricket.

Time and again Aashwin got criticised for being a home track bully. There is no denying the fact that Ashwin has bagged most of his Test wickets in subcontinental conditions. It was during the opening Test against England in Edgbaston that he proved his worth as a bowler outside the subcontinent.

He bagged seven wickets in the opening Test to put India in a strong position. However, Ashwin has developed quite a few deliveries up his sleeves, and he tricked the English batters with his variations. Looking at the change in his approach, Saqlain Mushtaq has called him a world-class bowler across formats.

Ravichandran Ashwin is a world-class spinner, says Saqlain Mushtaq 

“Today, he is a world-class spinner. I remember four or five years ago, I spoke that he is a good bowler but not yet a world-class bowler. Back then, I saw potential in him. But it was important for him to play outside India, perform and learn, and only then he would be a ready bowler.

“I think that has happened, and we can see that in the way Ashwin has bowled in this series. The way he is controlling the ball at present, its shape coming out of hand, pace and trajectory shaping up, setting up and trapping left-handed batsmen. “When I talk to young spinners, I tell them they have to trap different batsmen in different ways. When Ashwin is bowling, you can see he has different plans for different batsmen, and he is working them out. For someone like me who lives in the world of spin, it is enthralling to watch,” Saqlain stated.

Ashwin sustained an injury during the third Test in Nottingham. He may or may not be fit for the fourth Test slated to be played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

If that’s the case, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja who is part of the squad will take the place of Ashwin in the playing XI.