There’s no better bowler than Ravi Ashwin in home conditions: Saqlain Mushtaq

Saqlain Mushtaq, the former Pakistan cricketers, reckons that Ravi Ashwin, among all the bowlers around, uses home conditions to his advantage the best. In 43 home Tests, the Indian off-spinner has 254 wickets with as many as 21 five-wicket hauls. Back in October 2019, the 33-year-old became the fastest Indian bowler to take 350 wickets in 66 encounters against South Africa in Vizag.

Apart from Ashwin, Mushtaq, who took 208 wickets from 49 Tests, heaped praises on Nathan Lyon, the bedrock of Australia’s bowling attack in the longer format. The New South Wales-born Lyon is currently the second-highest wicket-taker for his country after the legendary Shane Warne. Mushtaq didn’t forget to praise Ravindra Jadeja, who has 213 wickets from 49 games in Test cricket.

Ravi Ashwin performs overseas as well, says Mushtaq

“Right now, Nathan Lyon has been giving tremendous performances. He has performed against England, Pakistan, and even against India. As per his performances and strike rate, I think he is one of the best at the moment,” Saqlain was quoted as saying in Cricket Pakistan.

“Secondly, there is R Ashwin, who performs really good at home. He performs overseas as well, but there is no other bowler better than him in home conditions. Ravindra Jadeja in Test cricket is also good,” the veteran added.

Mushtaq also had words of appreciation for England’s Adil Rashid and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan. Even as Shakib has been a revelation across formats, the Brits’ spinner hasn’t quite been able to make Test cricket his own. Saqlain said that Shakib, who is serving a ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC), has a strong character and has great courage.

“Adil Rashid has also given good performances. Shakib Al Hasan is also really intelligent. I have worked with Bangladesh Cricket Team. Shakib has a strong character, he is really courage, and he uses his brains. He is a clever bowler,” he added.

Moreover, Saqlain appreciated Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian chinaman bowler, for having a big heart. The retired Pakistan off-spinner said that he found him knowledgeable after interacting with him. Kuldeep has played ODI and T20I cricket consistently, but Test cricket hasn’t quite smiled on him thus far in his career.