India’s spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin is preparing for a run of 10 Test matches that will see India take on Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia over the next five months.
Having played 100 Tests en route to becoming India’s most successful off-spinner with 516 wickets so far, the 37-year-old is in the twilight of his career.
With a lot to offer the next generation of Indian spinners, Ashwin shared what he experienced and learned as a player playing under three of India’s finest captains — MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — during a chat with veteran cricket journalist and YouTuber Vimal Kumar.
On MS Dhoni…
“Talking from a player’s point of view, I like one thing a lot in Dhoni’s captaincy — the stability a player got. He provided an opportunity, a long run. If you look at it, Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) or Suresh Raina, he groomed Jaddu in the finisher’s role very well and played him in the same role till the end. It benefitted India. Jaddu is a great allrounder today. So if Dhoni backed someone after identifying, he provided stability as well. I really like that about MS. But what people say, that he stays cool and all that, I don’t really…To be fair, he looks calm.”
On Virat Kohli…
“About Virat, he inspires. He sets an example by doing and achieving himself; he leads from the front. What he expects from the team, he shows it by doing it himself.”
On Rohit Sharma…
“Two three things about him are very good. He keeps the team environment very light and makes an effort to do that. He is very balanced and tactically strong — so were MS and Virat. But Rohit puts more focus on tactics. If there’s a big match or series coming up, he will sit with the analytics team and coach to prepare, like what’s a batsman’s weakness, a bowler’s plan. That’s his strength, and he too backs his players 100 percent.”
Having played 100 Tests en route to becoming India’s most successful off-spinner with 516 wickets so far, the 37-year-old is in the twilight of his career.
With a lot to offer the next generation of Indian spinners, Ashwin shared what he experienced and learned as a player playing under three of India’s finest captains — MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — during a chat with veteran cricket journalist and YouTuber Vimal Kumar.
On MS Dhoni…
“Talking from a player’s point of view, I like one thing a lot in Dhoni’s captaincy — the stability a player got. He provided an opportunity, a long run. If you look at it, Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) or Suresh Raina, he groomed Jaddu in the finisher’s role very well and played him in the same role till the end. It benefitted India. Jaddu is a great allrounder today. So if Dhoni backed someone after identifying, he provided stability as well. I really like that about MS. But what people say, that he stays cool and all that, I don’t really…To be fair, he looks calm.”
On Virat Kohli…
“About Virat, he inspires. He sets an example by doing and achieving himself; he leads from the front. What he expects from the team, he shows it by doing it himself.”
On Rohit Sharma…
“Two three things about him are very good. He keeps the team environment very light and makes an effort to do that. He is very balanced and tactically strong — so were MS and Virat. But Rohit puts more focus on tactics. If there’s a big match or series coming up, he will sit with the analytics team and coach to prepare, like what’s a batsman’s weakness, a bowler’s plan. That’s his strength, and he too backs his players 100 percent.”
