Sourav Ganguly: Ashwin's batting has reached the next level

Ravichandran Ashwin has solidified his reputation as the world's No.1 all-rounder with  his performances in the ongoing series against England. The 30-year old has scored two half-centuries and picked up 8 wickets in the series so far, and former batsman Sourav Ganguly is mighty impressed with Ashwin's displays with the bat.

“Ashwin’s batting has just got better and good to see his consistency in all conditions. His batting has gone to the next level and also needs to keep going on like this but back of the mind he must realize that he’s a bowler first. His batting has taken off exceptionally and going to solve lot of problem for India, Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli,” Ganguly said, reported IndiaToday.

“He turns up everywhere and gets runs and all of us knew about Ravichandran Ashwin the bowler but as I said his batting has gone to a new level and we are pleasantly surprised to see that. But credit has to be given how he has gone about his job in international cricket,” the 44-year old added.

The former left-handed batsman was also positive about the use of the DRS in the current series.

“India will get used to this technology and in the past also India have used the DRS well like the 2011 World Cup and the 2014 Champions Trophy. The technology has got better, the players are now using it properly and the results are showing. ICC wants it to happen so might as well embrace and India have done that,” he said.

The former Indian skipper also hoped that Virat Kohli will score more runs in the next three Tests against England.

“There are three more Test matches to go before the year finishes and there are good wickets in Mumbai, Chennai, and Mohali. So don’t write it off yet, he might add to his tally with another double hundred,” Ganguly commented on Kohli, who scored 167 in the first innings at Vizag.