‘Ashwin does not have to do anything different’

Praising Ravichandran Ashwin for becoming the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings, former spinner Venkatapathi Raju says his wicket-taking ability is amazing and he does not have to do anything different to remain a match-winner.

“He (Ashwin) has got fantastic variations and he adopts himself in three formats of the game which is difficult. I think, in between he tried something which did not click and he came back to his own bowling. We had Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and lot of spinners who were strike bowlers and now I think he is our main strike bowler. Any captain will be more than happy to have him (in the side),” Raju said.

“Bhajji did this for long time and Kumble did it for longer time and they all had good support bowlers. So, we have other good support bowlers to support him (Ashwin) very well. 

He’s number one bowler now. His wicket taking ability is amazing and he’s got very good variations and we should appreciate somebody who is a match winner,” he said.