Ashwin and Jadeja might face difficulties on non spin-friendly wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan, the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket feels the top 2 ranked bowlers in the format, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are quite deadly on helpful wickets for the opposition but they might face difficulties when they play on unsupportive wickets especially on the overseas tours.

“In India, they (Ashwin and Jadeja) are going to be difficult to play against,” says the Sri Lankan off-spinner. “In Sri Lanka, it depends on what type of wickets they bowl on. Sri Lanka have not been playing well at the moment, so they can capitalise on that. In South Africa or other countries, it would be tougher for them because there are not too many spin-friendly wickets there.” said Muralitharan about the Indian spin-duo.

While considering India as favourites in the upcoming Sri Lanka-India series, Murali was optimistic about his team’s chances as well. “Obviously India will be the favourites, but you never know because anything can happen in cricket! There can be a surprise as well,” he added.

Tamil Nadu connect

The legendary spinner has been named as the mentor of the TNPL team VB Thiruvallur Veerans ahead of the 2nd season and was part of a media interaction on Saturday at the Hotel Savera in Chennai.

Muralitharan, who married a Chennai woman revealed about his ancestral connection with the Tamil Nadu as well. “My grandfather is from here; he hailed from a place close to Namakkal district. I used to come here when I was young and even before playing cricket, I travelled a lot in and around Tamil Nadu,” said the 42-year-old. “That connectivity was always there and then got married to a Tamilian as well. In the first IPL, I played for CSK. These are fond memories that I treasure,” he added.

With CSK returning to IPL from next season, Murali says that he is ready to be associated with them in future once his current contract with the SRH team comes to an end. ”I have another two or three years on my contract with the Sunrisers (SRH), so I will have a long stint with them. If the opportunity arises in future, then why not? CSK was the best team of the tournament. They had a better record than any other team in the IPL.”

Rising spin talents

Answering to the query about the recent spin successes, India’s Kuldeep Yadav and England’s Moeen Ali, the Sri Lankan said that it will be unfair to compare an all-rounder like Moeen with a specialist bowler. “Moeen Ali is an all-rounder more than a spin bowler. You cannot compare him to Ashwin or a (Ravindra) Jadeja or Rangana Herath because they are better bowlers.”

Talking about Kuldeep, Murali said that India should regularly hand opportunities to the young chinaman reminding how well he did when he was given a chance in the West Indies tour. “He (Kuldeep) has shown that if he gets an opportunity, he can bowl well and he is definitely a good prospect for India. Different bowlers have different skills. When given regular opportunities, I am sure he will perform well.”