Ravichandran Ashwin: Differentiating factor between Indian and South Africa

Ravichandran Ashwin will be India’s trump card in series against South Africa © AFP

If there was one Indian bowler who posed some threat to AB de Villiers in South Africa’s ongoing tour of India, it was Ravichandran Ashwin. The wily off-spinner got de Villiers’ wicket twice in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series last month and was expected to play a key role in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) too. He picked up Quinton de Kock in what maybe termed as a classical off-spinner’s dismissal, getting the left-hander to edge it to the first slip and just when he was beginning to look threatening in the first ODI at Kanpur, a side strain resulted in his ouster from the series. De Villiers went on to smack three tons as India went down 2-3. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs South Africa 2015, 1st Test at Mohali

Ashwin’s return in the Test series not only strengthened India’s bowling attack but also played a huge psychological role. As India went one up in Mohali, Ashwin-factor played the major role here. ALSO READ: India vs South Africa 2015, 1st Test: Ravichandran Ashwin achieves rare record

Setting up a target of 218 for world’s No. 1 side, Kohli in the post-match press conference revealed that he wasn’t too worried, as he knew it wasn’t going to be easy for the South African batsmen. A chunk of that confidence came from Ashwin’s presence in the line-up. With a fifer in the first innings and match-figures of 8 for 90, he played the role of a strike-bowler to perfection. Ashwin with his lethality in subcontinent conditions has brought back memories of Anil Kumble. Such is Kohli’s trust on the bowler that Ashwin opened the bowling in both innings and struck early. ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin picks up 150th wicket in India vs South Africa 2015, 1st Test at Mohali

Ashwin in last five Tests

In his last 5 Tests, he has picked 34 wickets at 16.61. If picking up a five-wicket haul in an innings is considered a feat equal to a batsman scoring hundred then Ashwin has 13 from 29 Tests. Now, isn’t that incredible? Ashwin now has 150 Test wickets and he became the quickest Indian to the mark. He also completed his 100 wickets in India, in only 16 Tests.

Indian spinners with over 100 wickets at home

With the wicket at Mohali assisting spinners from the first session of Day One itself, the Ashwin-factor played in the minds of South African batsmen. They played him with extra caution (that reflects in the economy rates as Ashwin’s was the lowest among Indian spinners) and India’s comeback man Ravindra Jadeja benefitted from that as he too went onto bag a match-haul of eight wickets.

What sets him apart? Yes, pundits may dismiss him for his overseas record but Ashwin is improving every season and these are danger signs for the opponents. He has figured out his action and has a plan for every series. He understands his strengths and keeps learning the tricks. Ashwin’s focus isn’t to be the No. 1 bowler but the best. Often when you compete with others you tend to concentrate on the ‘other part’ and then work on yours. For Ashwin, he recently put it aptly in an interview with ESPNCricinfo, “I don’t strive to be indispensable. I strive to be exceptional. There is a difference between the two.”Ashwin thrives for excellence and that mind-set is a hallmark of champion.

His mental strength and intelligence makes him among the best in the business. Despite the variations up his sleeves, Ashwin doesn’t over-try. For example at Mohali, with extra bounce on offer he didn’t rely on the carrom ball but varied the pace. Ashwin may have not dismissed de Villiers in this Test but the former had issues picking the bowler’s length. ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin: From just another mystery spinner to India’s premier bowler

The 22-yards matter at the end of the day but Ashwin does his homework better than others, and nowadays with technology at fray; he’s a modern bowler who uses them to fullest. Not only he keeps watching his videos to analyse and get better but also plans the tricks by working on batsman overnight. On Day Two press conference Ashwin said, “[Dean] Elgar, I have seen him bat. Had a wonderful time in watching him on YouTube last night. He has done that [slog sweep] a lot at Johannesburg. I made it a point to tell him it’s not Johannesburg unfortunately. I thought it was coming, I knew he was going to play that shot.”

While others choose to shut themselves from the press, not reading newspapers or watching channel to avoid criticism, Ashwin is someone who reads and follows cricket pundits with attention, hoping to pick up something interesting that will help him improve. He knows the border between positivity and needless criticism, and sticks to the former half.

Next big thing: We are looking at a colossus in the making and one ought to be a special when you dismiss Kumar Sangakkara four times in a row, outfox Hashim Amla or outwit de Villiers. In just 29 Tests, he has four Man of the Series and the only Indians to have bagged more are Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag (collectively played 303 Tests). The Ashwin-show from hereon will determine the result of the ongoing series and if India go on to win it, there’s a possibility of the fifth one coming his way.

(Suvajit Mustafi consumes cricket for lunch, fiction for dinner and munches numerous other snacks throughout the day. Yes, a jack of several trades, all Suvajit dreamt of was being India’s World Cup winning skipper but ended up being a sports writer, author, screenwriter, director, copywriter, graphic designer, sports marketer , strategist, entrepreneur,  philosopher and traveller. Donning so many hats, it’s cricket which gives him the ultimate high and where he finds solace. He can be followed at @RibsGully and rivu7)