Veteran off-spinner R Ashwin feels privileged for being called the second-best all-rounder in India's Test history after Kapil Dev. However, Ashwin said that the former Indian skipper is not only one of the all-time greats in India but is one of the greatest cricketers the world has seen.
Ashwin is statistically India's second-best Test cricketer of all time after the legendary all-rounder with 449 wickets and over 3000 runs in Test cricket.
However, Ashwin has already overtaken Kapil's record with the ball (434 Test wickets) and is now India's second-highest wicket-taker in the format, but he seems unlikely to surpass Kapil's haul of 5248 Test runs.
Well, when the Indian spinner was asked about his thoughts on "him being now the most successful all-rounder after Kapil Dev", he said that it was a privilege while hailing the legendary cricketer.
Ashwin told The New Indian Express, “I don't want to sound too humble or too sceptical. But when you do something in your life, you want to be the best at what you want to do, right? Kapil Dev is not just a great Indian cricketer, but is one of the greatest cricketers the world has seen.”
He further added, “And if you take up the bat and the ball, I suggest, any child, any kid that is taking the ball or the bat today must be aspiring to be the best in the world. It doesn't matter who's done it in the past, you have to want to be the best in the world.”
The all-rounder also said that he really enjoys playing in pressure situation for India.
He said, “When you play for India, expectations are going to be there. You’re bound to have expectations. But you can’t allow that to bog yourself down.”
Ashwin signed off by saying, “You know, I am someone who lives for the big moments and pressure moments. So, for me, anytime there is a big match, any time there’s a lot of pressure I really enjoy it. So, I’m looking forward to the pressure.”
