Cricket

R. Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has hailed the team's current bowling riches and expressed hope that their legacy will inspire future generations of bowlers. "Each of those bowlers that bowl alongside me has the ability to hold on to a game, bowl with discipline, and yet produce wicket-taking balls," said Ashwin, who clinched a record-equalling 11th Player-of-the-Series award for his all-round effort in the recent Test series against Bangladesh.Ashwin emphasized that it is not just the bowlers' individual abilities but also the collective belief of the entire team that has contributed to their success. "When Rohit says that you make 400 to try and make a game out of it, it tells you that the captain believes the bowlers will get the job done," he said. "These bowlers have done it day in and day out. And they have the ability to pick 20 wickets. The bowling attack is quite special, and I hope that this legacy of bowling is taken forward."Explaining how India fashioned their remarkable win in under two days, Ashwin revealed that the aim was to have at least 70 to 80 overs to bowl out Bangladesh again. "When we gathered inside, he mentioned that we would go hammer and tongs and try to make 400 runs in probably 50 overs," he said. "In that bargain, if we got bowled out of less than 200, it was okay because we made a game of it."Ashwin also spoke about the importance of captain Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach. "When you walk the talk, I think the dressing room has no choice but to follow that pattern," he said. "We had 50 runs in three overs, and there was no looking back."When asked about breaking Muttiah Muralitharan's record for most Player of the Series awards, the 38-year-old insisted that cherishing memories is more important than records. "I do not have an answer for that. But I would like to do it at a special occasion," said Ashwin. "Probably if I end up with that, it's great. But these are not things that motivate me any more, honestly. For me, the love of the game is something that I have harped upon repeatedly. It makes a world of difference for me to enjoy what I do. I am so glad I have gotten here. I would like to retain that happiness."

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, the dynamic duo of Indian cricket, have once again proven their exceptional partnership, leading India to a commanding position in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh. Their remarkable 199-run stand for the seventh wicket propelled India to a formidable total of 376, rescuing them from a precarious 144 for six.Ashwin, known for his guile and variety, expressed his admiration for Jadeja's talent. "I always envy him. He's so gifted and talented. He's found ways to maximize his potential. I wish I could be him, but I'm glad I am myself," Ashwin said.Jadeja's exceptional batting skills have not only contributed to India's success but have also inspired Ashwin to improve his own game. "He is an exceptionally good cricketer. I'm happy for him. Likewise, in so many ways, I think watching him bat over the last couple of years has also given me insight on how better I can be," Ashwin added.While Ashwin's bowling style is characterized by an array of tricks, Jadeja's approach is more straightforward, relying on accuracy and subtle variations. Together, they have formed a formidable bowling combination, surpassing the legendary duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in terms of wickets taken."He keeps it really simple. He can repeat it (bowling) day in and day out. So, both of us have grown together. Both of us have done some special things," Ashwin said. "We really value one another at this stage and both of us are enjoying each other's success more than ever before."However, their task is not yet complete. They will need to combine once more in Bangladesh's fourth innings to secure victory for India. Ashwin, who failed to take a wicket in Bangladesh's first innings, has already devised a plan to outsmart the visitors."I think there's a bit more up-and-down bounce. I would say the carry is there still. It's probably quickened up a touch (today) and then it's again gone on the slower side. I really do think as this game pans out, if at all it gets to the fourth-fifth day, it will turn for certain," Ashwin said.As the pitch continues to deteriorate, the challenge for both teams will be to negotiate the increasing spin, making the Ashwin-Jadeja partnership even more crucial for India's success.

The remarkable partnership between R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja against Bangladesh has highlighted their invaluable contributions as lower-order batters. However, their advancing age raises the question of who will succeed them in this crucial role.Ashwin and Jadeja have consistently reinvented themselves to meet the evolving demands of the game. While they initially focused primarily on their bowling, they have since transformed into formidable batsmen. Ashwin has been involved in six 50-plus partnerships with lower-order batters, while Jadeja has forged four such partnerships.Experts believe that India needs to identify and groom the next generation of lower-order batters. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel are potential candidates, but they need to demonstrate consistency across all formats. Manav Suthar, a promising left-arm spinner, has shown promise as a handy lower-order batsman.However, finding replacements for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are also approaching the twilight of their careers, poses a greater challenge. The Indian selectors are implementing a phased easing out of seniors to avoid a sudden decline in quality.Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Mayank Agarwal are among the players who could potentially fill the void left by Sharma and Kohli. India's strong grassroots system provides hope that the next generation of players will emerge in due time.

The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, has sparked controversy among players and experts. While some, like Rohit Sharma, believe it hinders the development of all-rounders, others, like R Ashwin, argue that it adds strategic depth to the game.Ashwin believes the rule encourages innovation and makes the game fairer. He cites the example of Shahbaz Ahmed, who became a match-winner for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024 after being brought in as an Impact Player."It gives a little more value for strategy," Ashwin said. "The other side of that argument is it doesn't encourage all-rounders. But no one is stopping them."Ashwin argues that the rule has not prevented all-rounders from emerging. He points to Venkatesh Iyer, who has impressed for Lancashire in England."There's an opportunity for innovation and it makes the game fairer," Ashwin said.He also believes the rule has helped players move up the ranks, including Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube, and Dhruv Jurel."If not for the Impact Player rule, he may have never gotten the chance," Ashwin said of Jurel.However, Ashwin opposes the reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) rule, which allows teams to retain players they have released."If a franchise has released a player because they don't see him in their top four or five, then what gives them the right to jump in during an auction," Ashwin argued.He suggests that players should have the option to decide if they want to be RTMed and that a pre-determined price should be set by the player.

Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's daughters, Akhira and Aadhya, showcased their impressive cricket knowledge ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. In a video shared by Ashwin on Instagram, the girls participated in a quiz where they answered questions about the tournament.They correctly identified the host countries (USA and West Indies), the city hosting the India vs Pakistan match (New York), and the captain of West Indies (Nicholas Pooran). However, they mistakenly stated that New York would host the India vs Pakistan game, which is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team has begun practicing in New York ahead of their warm-up match against Bangladesh on Saturday. They will face Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5, followed by the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9.The search for India's next head coach is underway, as Rahul Dravid's tenure will conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024. Reports suggest that the BCCI has approached potential candidates, with a focus on domestic coaches familiar with the Indian cricket scene.Gautam Gambhir has emerged as the frontrunner for the role, with Ashish Nehra and VVS Laxman also being considered. However, the BCCI is reportedly not in a rush to appoint a head coach.India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 includes:* Rohit Sharma (c)* Hardik Pandya* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Virat Kohli* Suryakumar Yadav* Rishabh Pant* Sanju Samson* Shivam Dube* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Yuzvendra Chahal* Arshdeep Singh* Jasprit Bumrah* Mohammed Siraj