Danish Kaneria, former Pakistan spinner, praised R Ashwin for being a very smart and intelligent cricketer and backed him as a candidate for India's Test captaincy. He also lauded Ashwin’s calm demeanor after the Indian off-spinner helped Team India to pull off a Test series-clinching three-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dhaka.
Ashwin scored 42 runs* off 62 balls and shared a match-winning 71-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer as India defeated Bangladesh by three wickets in the second and final Test in Dhaka on Sunday (December 25), completing a 2-0 series sweep against the hosts.
The veteran off-spinner also snared 6 wickets in the match against Bangladesh. He was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-around performance in the Dhaka Test.
After the match, Kaneria suggested that Ashwin should be one of the candidates for India’s Test captaincy if the changes are on the cards.
Danish Kaneria said on his YouTube channel: “Ravichandran Ashwin should be one of the candidates for India's Test captaincy. He still has a lot of cricket left in him. He is very smart and intelligent with his batting and bowling. It seems as if he is constantly thinking when he is on the ground.”
Kaneria said that Ashwin was calm when India were under pressure during the second Test as well.
He added, “India were under a lot of pressure. Ravichandran Ashwin was cool and calm in that situation, playing a great knock to steady the ship for his team. He has saved India on several occasions with his batting contributions. The Indian team looked weak when they played without Anil Kumble in the past, and the same goes for Ashwin. His 42-run knock was equal to scoring a century.”
