Why Is R Ashwin So Late To 100 Tests? Cheteshwar Pujara Pujara Talks About 'Various Reasons'

A sharp mind with a penchant for trying out new things, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is relentless in his bowling approach and always tries to keep himself one step ahead of opposition batters, his long-time national team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara said. Ashwin is set to play his 100th Test in the last game of the five-match series in Dharamsala beginning on March 7. He went past the 500-wicket mark in the third Test in Rajkot to become only the second Indian to achieve the feat.

"Reading batters has always been a key part of what Ash does. He is always one step ahead, alert to the smallest cues. He is constantly observing the batter... No detail is too small for his sharp mind. He puts a lot of effort into each delivery," Pujara wrote in his column for 'ESPNcricinfo'.

"Having just become the second quickest bowler to 500 Test wickets, Ash now deserves another equally significant landmark - of 100 Tests. He's probably a little late getting there for various reasons. But I am really happy for him. He is someone who has always been ready to take the challenge on and do the hard yards for the team. He deserves it the most.

"He has evolved and survived for a long time despite playing multiple formats, and that is mainly because of his innovative mind: he is not afraid or shy to try out new things, even at the cost of failing in the process." Pujara, who also played his 100th Test last year but has been out favour currently, said there was no respite for batters while facing Ashwin as he was always on a look-out for taking wicket.

"There's no respite. If you're comfortable batting against him from over the stumps, he will change to round the stumps, from where he is able to create that angle where, if the ball goes