Ganguly hails Ashwin as a ‘tough cricketer’

The rise of Ravichandran Ashwin in international cricket as an all-rounder is well-documented. Someone, who started his career as an opener for the Tamil Nadu Under-16 team, has evolved as a record-breaking bowler and a more than useful batsman for the Indian side. In his five-year career in international cricket so far, Ashwin has 223 Test wickets, and in addition, four Test centuries along with seven half-centuries.

Speaking to India Today, Ganguly said, “He is a tough cricketer, you give responsibility to him and he stands up. That's the best thing in Ravichandran Ashwin. It's great to have him in the side and I think he's an asset to the Indian side.”

Ganguly reiterated the importance of playing five specialist bowlers as Ravichandran Ashwin could give important runs at No.6. 

Ganguly said, “India should make it absolutely mandatory to play five bowlers in Test cricket because you have somebody like Ashwin at No. 6, somebody who bats so well. One can say, he's not been tested in Australia, England or South Africa but you give him an opportunity and see. I think he's got all the technique to succeed.”

Ashwin took nine wickets in his maiden Test match against West Indies at Delhi in 2009, which was the second-highest by an Indian debutant after Narendra Hirwani's 16-wicket debut and was awarded with the Man-of-the-match award. Since then, Ashwin has only gotten better becoming the second fastest bowler take 200 Test wickets.  

“Well, 40 Test matches are a lot of Test matches, to be honest. To be ahead of those legendary cricketers of the game speaks volumes of his performance and his career. I hope he continues because he's got a terrific head on his shoulder,” Ganguly concluded.