Ravichandran Ashwin Must Set His Own Field: Erapalli Prasanna

With 41 wickets in his last nine Tests, to say that R Ashwin is on fire would be an understatement.

Former India off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna puts Ashwin's good form down to the change in his action. (Also read: Can Ashwin continue dominating on foreign tracks?)

"When he started his career as Test off-spinner he was bowling with an erect action which did not permit him to bowl good length because the ball release was behind his head. But off late, he is forcing the batsmen to play at him more often, and hence picking more wickets," Prasanna told NDTV.

The legendary off-spinner, who played 49 tests for India, though would like to see Ashwin make another important change to his game-plan in order to be more successful in international cricket.

"I don't see Ashwin setting his own fields. If he bowls to what field the captain sets for him then he is sacrificing his line of thinking. It is almost like back seat driving. He has to set his own field, and he has to bowl at that."

The Tamil Nadu off-spinner's exploits on Lankan soil have also impressed the highest wicket-taker in test cricket- Muttiah Muralitharan, who feels Ashwin will go on to take close to 600-700 wickets if he ends up playing 100 tests. The numbers also support assessment: Ashwin's current record stands at 141 wickets in 27 tests, and if he continues at the same rate, the 28 year old will reach the 600 wickets mark by the time he plays his 100th Test.

But, Prasanna was more reserved in his comments when asked about Murali's prediction, "It is possible", he said. "But one mustn't forget that he (Ashwin) hasn't had great success on hard wickets in South Africa and seaming wickets in New Zealand. He needs to start taking wicket overseas, that will be the key."

Though as a well wisher of Ashwin, Prasanna a member of India's famous spin quartet signed off by saying "I wish he gets past Murali."