MSK Prasad feels Ravi Ashwin is India’s No.1 Test spinner

Ravi Ashwin has been a good starter in India’s last two Test series in England and Australia but could not finish off the task on a high note because of injury on both occasions. The 32-year-old off-spinner has had his stint with injuries and is no more in the reckoning for a slot in the ODIs, thanks to the rise of a new breed of bowlers. The chief selector MSK Prasad though believes that the Tamil Nadu bowler continues to be India’s No.1 spinner in red-ball cricket.

Ashwin, who has 342 wickets in 65 Tests at an average of below 26, is India’s fourth highest wicket-taker in the long format after Anil Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434) and Harbhajan Singh (417). The off-spinner although hasn’t had a record overseas that matches his exploits at home, yet Prasad is of the opinion that he is one of the best spinners in the world today besides being the country’s premier slow bowler.

“Undoubtedly. There are no two ways about it. Ashwin is our No. 1 spinner and he is one of the best spinners in the world. In fact, every country we play, they always plan against Ashwin first compared to other spinners. He is our premier spinner,” the former India wicket-keeper told Sportstar on Wednesday.

India’s next Test series is some time away; it gives Ashwin time to work on fitness

Ravi Ashwin, who last played in an ODI in June 2017, missed the last Test in England last year after failing to perform to the expectations because of an injury. He also missed the last three Tests against Australia Down Under after picking six wickets in the series opener.

Prasad, however, feels the veteran bowler who also has four centuries in Test cricket, will return strongly from the injury break. India do not have more than one Test (against Zimbabwe at home) to play till the World Cup in May and their next Test series is scheduled only in the Windies in August. It means Ashwin will have some good time to recover from his injuries completely.

“If we are talking about Ashwin, we are talking about a legendary spinner. We have to accept that first and the number of victories that he has given to us is phenomenal. I am sure as a professional he knows what’s the fitness level that’s expected of him. Injuries are part and parcel of the game of every player. I don’t exactly question as to what happened (with his fitness in England and Australia),” Prasad said.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from New Zealand vs India series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.