Ashwin is our No. 1 spinner in Test match cricket, says MSK Prasad

There were serious question marks raised over veteran off-spinner's place in the side recently.

Nobody faces the kind of criticism Ravichandran Ashwin does | Getty

Contrary to Ravi Shastri's words, chief selector MSK Prasad has said that Ravichandran Ashwin remains country's premier Test spinner in all conditions. 

In an interview with Cricbuzz, head coach Shastri backed young wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to do the job whenever India plays abroad after his maiden overseas five-wicket haul in Australia. 

"I was very impressed with the way Kuldeep bowled in Sydney," he had said, "Even in Test cricket, it is going to be the age of wrist spin, especially in overseas Test cricket. The way he bowled in Sydney, he becomes our number one spinner in overseas Test cricket."

But Prasad has a different point of view for his matter. 

"Undoubtedly. There are no two ways about it. Ashwin is our No. 1 spinner and he is one of the best spinners in the world," Prasad told Sportstar on Wednesday, "In fact, every country we play, they always plan against Ashwin first compared to other spinners. He is our premier spinner."

"If we are talking about Ashwin, we are talking about a legendary spinner. We have to accept that first and the number of victories that he has given to us is phenomenal."

Ashwin did start off the recent tour down under quite well in Adelaide. But he got injured and missed the rest of the Test matches played in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. 

"I am sure as a professional he(Ashwin) knows what’s the fitness level that’s expected of him," Prasad added, "Injuries are part and parcel of the game of every player. I don’t exactly question as to what happened (with his fitness in England and Australia)."

"Someone who is exerting is only prone to injuries. Someone who isn’t exerting will not get injured. So, I have no doubt about his commitment. It’s unfortunate but he will come back strong. He has so much cricket left in him and he has so much to offer for Indian cricket."

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 07 Feb, 2019

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