15 Interesting facts about R Ashwin - A spin legend in making

Published - 17 Sept 2015, 13:05 IST | Updated - 17 Sept 2015, 13:05 IST

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15 Interesting facts about R Ashwin – A spin legend in making: One of the best spinners one can find in the world today, Ravichandran Ashwin has come a long way in the past 5 years. One of the rare players who made a credible impact in the international arena post IPL success, he is improving leaps and bounds with every game he plays, and still aims to be better.

On his 29^th birthday, here are 15 Interesting facts about R Ashwin – A spin legend in making:

1. Birth:

Ravi Ashwin was born on 17th September, 1986 in Chennai to a Tamil Brahmin family.

2. Father:

Ashwin’s father, Ravichandran, played competitive cricket in Tamil Nadu

3. Education:

He has completed his B.Tech in Information Technology from SSN College of Engineering, Chennai.

4. An opener to start with:

R Ashwin was an opener during his U-17 days. But inconsistent performances prompted him try his hand at bowling as well and thus he became an all-rounder.

5. Father’s dream:

Ashwin’s father, who was a fast bowler during his days, wanted him to become a fast bowler. But an injury dashed his hopes and he preferred off-spin as his bowling type.

6. First Class debut:

He made his First Class debut for Tamil Nadu in 2006 against Haryana. He took 6 wickets in his first game.

7. IPL:

Ravi Ashwin came to international limelight following his performances in IPL 2010. He picked up 13 wickets during the season, and was judged the man of the tournament.

8. International debut:

Ashwin made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2010 June. He scored 38 off 32 balls and picked up 2 wickets.

9. World Cup 2011:

R Ashwin was a part of the ODI squad which won the world cup in 2011. But he played in only two matches, one of them being the quarterfinals against Australia.

10. Big tournament player:

He is a player India can rely for big tournaments. Ashwin was the 5^th highest wicket taker in Champions Trophy 2013, the 3rd highest wicket taker in World T20 2014 and 3^rd leading wicket taker amongst spinners in World cup 2015.

11. International wickets:

Ashwin has taken 309 international wickets, majority of them coming in ODIs and Tests.

12. Batting ability:

Being handy with the bat, he averages about 34 in Test matches, and first class cricket. Ash has scored two international centuries, both against West Indies, and 7 fifties. He has a solitary fifty in ODIs, and averages about 16.

13. Exceptional in the sub-continent:

Ashwin is one of the most lethal bowlers in the sub-continent. His strike rate in the Indian sub-continent is the third best, just behind Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram. Also, he has the second best strike rate for an off spinner, behind the legend Muttiah Muralitharan.