"India Is The Strongest Team...": Ex-Pakistan Captain's Open Admission After Win Over Bangladesh

03.10.2024 - 18:31 sports.ndtv.com

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja opened up on Ravichandran Ashwin's performance in the India-Bangladesh Test series and said that the 38-year-old has not received the kind of status as an all-rounder that he deserves.

In the recently concluded two-match Test series, Ashwin picked 11 wickets; he was also the highest wicket-taker along with Jasprit Bumrah.

With the bat, he scored 114 runs at a strike rate of 83.21 in the two-match series. Ashwin was also named the 'Player of the Series' following his stunning display against the visitors.

The India spinner played a crucial 113-run knock from 133 balls in the first inning against Bangladesh in the Chennai Test. The 38-year-old bagged a six-wicket haul in the second inning, which helped the hosts clinch a 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test match.

cricket India Cricket Team Pakistan Cricket Team 2024 Ramiz Raja Ravichandran Ashwin Jasprit Bumrah India Bangladesh Pakistan

As India collapsed to 46 all out in the first Test against New Zealand, former India cricketer Manoj Tiwari criticised not only India's selection, but also the apparent lack of common sense in certain decisions taken by the team. Tiwary criticised captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir, emphasizing that their decision to bat despite an entire day being washed out due to rain as a bizarre decision. He also critiqued Gambhir further for not being able to guide Rohit Sharma in his selection process.

"No Tantrums": Ramiz Raja Names India Star Who 'Hasn't Been Celebrated As Much'

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Ramiz Raja said that Indian veteran Ravichandran Ashwin has not been celebrated enough as an all-rounder, calling him a "no-nonsense cricketer". Ramiz's remarks come after the all-rounder's fine performance during the two-match series against Bangladesh at home. He was given the 'Player of the Series' award for scoring 114 runs, including a counter-attacking century in the first Test at his home in Chennai and taking 11 wickets.

Ravichandran Ashwin's Blockbuster 3-Word Reaction After Jasprit Bumrah Overtakes Him To Become World No. 1 Bowler

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah regained his spot as the number one Test batter, while young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal moved to third spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings issued on Wednesday. Bumrah overtook teammate Ravichandran Ashwin and claims the premier position for just the second time on the back of his six scalps for the match during India's recent seven-wicket triumph over Bangladesh in Kanpur, which included three scalps per innings, as per ICC.

"Above My Pay Grade": R Ashwin's Blunt Take After Fresh Debate On Limited Test Centers Discussion

Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Tuesday agreed that having a limited number of Test centres helps the players but fell short of endorsing the idea for India, saying it was above his pay grade to comment on that. The debate on Test centres was reignited after Kanpur's Green Park stadium came under criticism for a poor drainage system, resulting in a loss of full two days in the second game between India and Bangladesh. Star batter Virat Kohli had suggested a few years ago that India should have five major Test centres like Australia and England.

"They Forgot...": Sunil Gavaskar's Blunt Analysis Of Bangladesh's Collapse vs India In 2nd Test

On the last day of the India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test in Kanpur on Tuesday, the visitors went from three down to seven down in the space of just three runs. Eight sessions were lost in the first three days due to persistent rain and it seemed that the game would just meander to a dull draw. However, after bowling out Bangladesh for 233, India destroyed the visitors' attack to take a 52-run lead, all in just 34.4 overs. The approach opened up the game. Then India kept Bangladesh under the pump, bowling them out for a mere 146 in the second essay and raced to the 95-run target in 17.2 overs.

"Like I Am Some Serial Killer": R Ashwin's Blockbuster Response To Player Of The Series Question

Ravichandran Ashwin is indispensable in Indian cricket. One of the highest wicket-takers among active players, on Tuesday, Ashwin tied Sri Lanka's icon Muttiah Muralitharan's record for most Player of the Series awards in Test cricket following his splendid display in the two-match series against Bangladesh. The 38-year-old has been ageing like a fine wine, making the opposition batters dance to his tunes by making the ball obey his command.