Ravi Ashwin is the best off-spinner in the world, says Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh and Ravi Ashwin are the two of the greatest off-spinners India has ever produced. While the former dominated with his performances during the 2000s, Ashwin arrived and made a name for himself the next decade. Recently, the two spinners caught up with each other for an Instagram live session. During this interaction, they talked about life, cricket and many things beyond that.

During their conversation, the Punjab off-spinner said there are many people who think there is jealousy between them. Harbhajan clarified that hasn’t been the case ever. He further said that Ashwin is the best off-spinner in the world. He also said that he rates Australian spinner, Nathan Lyon, highly.

Ashwin is a legend in the making, says Harbhajan

“A lot of people would say that there is a lot of jealousy between us. But I would want to call out to those detractors and say there is nothing like that. Ashwin is the best offie in the world right now. I also rate Nathan Lyon highly”, Harbhajan said.

The speculations of jealousy between the two spinners were quite obvious. After the 2011 World Cup, the then Indian captain MS Dhoni backed Ashwin ahead of Harbhajan Singh as the premier spinner of the Indian team. Bhajji further said that Lyon has done well considering that he plays in Australia where spinners don’t get much assistance from the wicket.

The 39-year-old also went on to say that his Tamil Nadu counterpart is a legend in the making while also stating that Ravi Ashwin could be among the top-wicket takers in the world if he stays fit and plays long enough.

“The Aussie (offie) is also up there because he has done extremely well for himself given the fact that he comes from Australia where the pitches hardly aid spinners. But Ashwin is a legend in the making. Going forward, I only want him to stay fit because he is capable of taking a lot more wickets and could finish among the highest wicket-takers in the world,” he signed off.

Ravi Ashwin is 33 years old at the moment and can easily play for another four to five years in international cricket. He has played 71 Tests and picked up 365 wickets. Harbhajan, on the other hand, played last of his 103 Tests in 2015 and has 417 wickets to his name in the format.