ENG vs IND 2018: Ashwin is easily the best off-spinner in the world, says Graeme Swann 

Ashwin picked up 7/121 in the first Test at Edgbaston against England.

Swann is mighty impressed with Ravichandran Ashwin | Getty

Having seen him over the years and then exhibit his class in the ongoing series with match-figures of 7/121, former England great Graeme Swann has said that the exceptional Ravichandran Ashwin is the best off-spinner in the world. Swann believes that Nathan Lyon comes very close but Ashwin is a notch ahead given his variations and consistency. 

Swann, who picked up 255 Test wickets from 60 games at 29.96, thinks, "Ashwin is easily the best off-spinner in the world. His record in the subcontinent is phenomenal and I loved the way he bowled at Edgbaston,"

"Australia's Nathan Lyon has come up brilliantly and I'm impressed by the fact that he has been successful back home. He hasn't been as effective in England and I would keep Ashwin just ahead because of the variations he has, in addition to being brilliantly consistent."

Swann also talked about Rashid Khan, who he rates as the best limited-overs bowler at the moment, and hopes that the Afghanistan wrist-spinner would be able to transition into a better red-ball cricketer too. 

He said, "Yes, he (Ashwin) is the best in Tests but in T20s you can't look beyond Rashid Khan, He has a fast arm, great googly and is a brilliant story as well. Rashid is just a very exciting cricketer and I would love to see him be successful in Tests as well, as and when he gets to play regularly."

(Inputs from Cricket Next)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 28 Aug, 2018

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