Ravichandran Ashwin Has to Prove Himself Overseas: EAS Prasanna
Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 27 wickets in the three-Test series between India and New Zealand. Former Test off-spinner EAS Prasanna feels Ashwin's home experience will help him overseas
Highlights
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Ravichandran Ashwin was Man of Series in the India vs NZ Tests
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Ravichandran Ashwin took 27 wickets in three Tests
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Prasanna feels Ashwin is India's No. 1 strike bowler
After Ravichandran Ashwin's stupendous performance in the recently concluded India-New Zealand Test series, legendary Indian off-spinner EAS Prasanna feels the off-spinner now needs to prove himself abroad.
Speaking to NDTV on Wednesday, Prasanna said the 30-year-old's performance in overseas conditions will now be the real test of his credentials.
"His batting capabilities is a value add, but Ashwin's bowling overseas will be the real test," Prasanna said.
The 76-year-old Prasanna, whose classic action and guile foxed the best of batsmen, heaped praise on Ashwin, terming him as the "most intelligent bowler" in the Indian ranks.
"Ashwin is the most intelligent bowler that we have now. His home performance will help improve his overseas credentials," Prasanna said.
Reacting to a question about the spin-friendly Indian tracks, Prasanna stated there was nothing wrong in taking advantage of home conditions.
"Our spinners bowled exceedingly well versus New Zealand. More than the pitches, foreign teams who came to India before were better equipped to play spin," said Prasanna, adding the current Kiwi batsmen were technically challenged.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra too sided with Prasanna's remarks, terming the pitches at Kanpur, Kolkata and Indore 'fair'.
"Pitches during the India-New Zealand series were quite fair. Indore was a good batting surface. The Kiwis didn't show any fight," Chopra said.
Riding on Ashwin's masterclass, India completed a 3-0 sweep against Kane Williamson's men.
The Tamil Nadu bowler bagged 27 wickets in the series, including a career best 7 for 59 in the second innings of the final Test.
Harbhajan Singh's Dig at Home Pitches
However, veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh surprised cricket fans after he questioned the nature of pitches on offer.
Bhajji took to social micro-blogging site Twitter to take a dig at Ashwin's record-breaking performance.
The Punjab bowler also added that Anil Kumble and he would have gone on to take many more wickets, had they been provided with pitches like the one at Holkar Stadium.
Surprised at Harbhajan's comments, skipper Virat Kohli backed Ashwin and told reporters that spin bowling was a skill that needed more than just the assistance from the pitch.