Flem274*
123/5
I think he is bowling at the level of greatness now but his side has robbed him of the opportunities to show us.
For a long while in his career he was ineffective in certain countries and I don't think many people disagree with that assessment, except perhaps for the extent of it (from complete liability to filler bowler).
I think he has shown enough in his late career (his tour of Australia and the first WTC Final spring to mind) to suggest he would bowl very well everywhere now but he isn't getting the chance to show it. Jadeja has been getting those opportunities and hasn't exactly disappointed with ball or bat overall, so its a bit of tough luck for Ashwin. His misfortune is sort of India's overall gain in that they can trust their pace bowling now (though they should have played both spinners more often).
The man is an instant win button in half the conditions he plays in, much like Dennis Lillee was for the pace bowlers. I don't think they are equivalent because Lillee barely got opportunities in some countries whereas Ashwin has had them in the past and performed poorly enough they are still held against him by Indian management, but an instant win button in 70% of Indian tests is always going to get a lot of games and be extremely valuable to his side.
I think Ashwin and Jadeja form the second greatest spin duo to ever play the game behind Murali and Herath, and in practice I'm not sure how often prime Murali and Herath played together, so Ashwin/Jadeja could be the best. They are the foundation of Indian near invincibility in subcontinental conditions over the past decade and you only have to look at home tests circa-2010 where everyone and their dog was giving them a fright while they fielded the likes of Harbhajan and Ojha to see the difference.
DRS and better conditions have played a strong hand in their success (and I support those changes for the good of the game), and I don't expect to see the duo rocking up to Oceania or South Africa and steamrolling in another universe, but its hard to diminish instant win buttons.
I think he's an entry level ATG, and only in ATG threads can that be viewed in a negative light. You take that for your side every time. The only thing he lacks is solid proof he can rock up to someone elses house and kick them in the head.
I also hope he gets mankaded in a world cup final and cries like the punishing humourless knob he is.
For a long while in his career he was ineffective in certain countries and I don't think many people disagree with that assessment, except perhaps for the extent of it (from complete liability to filler bowler).
I think he has shown enough in his late career (his tour of Australia and the first WTC Final spring to mind) to suggest he would bowl very well everywhere now but he isn't getting the chance to show it. Jadeja has been getting those opportunities and hasn't exactly disappointed with ball or bat overall, so its a bit of tough luck for Ashwin. His misfortune is sort of India's overall gain in that they can trust their pace bowling now (though they should have played both spinners more often).
The man is an instant win button in half the conditions he plays in, much like Dennis Lillee was for the pace bowlers. I don't think they are equivalent because Lillee barely got opportunities in some countries whereas Ashwin has had them in the past and performed poorly enough they are still held against him by Indian management, but an instant win button in 70% of Indian tests is always going to get a lot of games and be extremely valuable to his side.
I think Ashwin and Jadeja form the second greatest spin duo to ever play the game behind Murali and Herath, and in practice I'm not sure how often prime Murali and Herath played together, so Ashwin/Jadeja could be the best. They are the foundation of Indian near invincibility in subcontinental conditions over the past decade and you only have to look at home tests circa-2010 where everyone and their dog was giving them a fright while they fielded the likes of Harbhajan and Ojha to see the difference.
DRS and better conditions have played a strong hand in their success (and I support those changes for the good of the game), and I don't expect to see the duo rocking up to Oceania or South Africa and steamrolling in another universe, but its hard to diminish instant win buttons.
I think he's an entry level ATG, and only in ATG threads can that be viewed in a negative light. You take that for your side every time. The only thing he lacks is solid proof he can rock up to someone elses house and kick them in the head.
I also hope he gets mankaded in a world cup final and cries like the punishing humourless knob he is.
Yeeeet
