Where does Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin stand with other bowling legends?

Comparisons are odious, as they say. For example, can a modern-day spin bowler be compared to an aggressive fast bowler from another era like Denis Lillee?
Graphics: Express News Service
Graphics: Express News Service
Updated on
2 min read
Ashwin played two games less, compared to Lillee's 56, to become the fastest bowler to achieve 300 Test wickets. While the Aussie fast bowling great had a bowling average of 23.92 per wicket, the offspinner is just behind with an average of 25.06. | Graphics: Express News Service
Ashwin played two games less, compared to Lillee's 56, to become the fastest bowler to achieve 300 Test wickets. While the Aussie fast bowling great had a bowling average of 23.92 per wicket, the offspinner is just behind with an average of 25.06. | Graphics: Express News Service
In the 54 Tests, Ashwin has bowled 15,636 balls, while Lillee, who ended his career with 70 Tests and 355 wickets, bowled 18,467 balls. So, if Ashwin plays in 70 Tests, the number of balls he bowls should proportionally translate into more wickets. | Graphics: Express News Service
In the 54 Tests, Ashwin has bowled 15,636 balls, while Lillee, who ended his career with 70 Tests and 355 wickets, bowled 18,467 balls. So, if Ashwin plays in 70 Tests, the number of balls he bowls should proportionally translate into more wickets. | Graphics: Express News Service
After becoming the fastest bowler to take 300 Test wickets, Ashwin will now have an eye on the records of legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev, who claimed 434 scalps in 131 Test matches. | Graphics: Express News Service
After becoming the fastest bowler to take 300 Test wickets, Ashwin will now have an eye on the records of legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev, who claimed 434 scalps in 131 Test matches. | Graphics: Express News Service
However, before Kapil, Ashwin would be setting his eyes on the Kiwi great Richard Hadlee's record of 431 wickets in 86 Test matches. He needs more than fifty scalps in next year too, to pose any threat for Hadlee's maginificent bowling stats. | Graphics: Express News Service
However, before Kapil, Ashwin would be setting his eyes on the Kiwi great Richard Hadlee's record of 431 wickets in 86 Test matches. He needs more than fifty scalps in next year too, to pose any threat for Hadlee's maginificent bowling stats. | Graphics: Express News Service
Talking about Ashwin's comparison with the Sri Lankan offspin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, the 31-year-old Tamil Nadu cricketer needs to register close to hundred scalps or more than that in next five-six years, if he wants to breach the Lankan wizard's tally of 800 wickets in 133 Test matches. | Graphics: Express News Service
Talking about Ashwin's comparison with the Sri Lankan offspin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, the 31-year-old Tamil Nadu cricketer needs to register close to hundred scalps or more than that in next five-six years, if he wants to breach the Lankan wizard's tally of 800 wickets in 133 Test matches. | Graphics: Express News Service
Like Murali, legendary Aussie legspinner Shane Warne's record of 708 wickets in 142 Test matches too looks like a major obstacle in front of Ashwin. However, Warne's better away record (389 scalps in 73 matches) is something which will be under the 31-year-old's radar, ahead of the crucial tours in South Africa, England and Australia next year.  | Graphics: Express News Service
Like Murali, legendary Aussie legspinner Shane Warne's record of 708 wickets in 142 Test matches too looks like a major obstacle in front of Ashwin. However, Warne's better away record (389 scalps in 73 matches) is something which will be under the 31-year-old's radar, ahead of the crucial tours in South Africa, England and Australia next year. | Graphics: Express News Service
Although Erapalli Prasanna's records of 189 wickets in the 49 Test matches look meager in front of Ashwin's achievements, but 94 out of these came in non-turning conditions like England and West Indies during 1960s and 70s, where the offspinner, along with fellow tweakers Srinivas Venkataraghavan, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and Bishen Singh Bedi, successfully outfoxed the batters with his flighted short-pitched deliveries. | Graphics: Express News Service
Although Erapalli Prasanna's records of 189 wickets in the 49 Test matches look meager in front of Ashwin's achievements, but 94 out of these came in non-turning conditions like England and West Indies during 1960s and 70s, where the offspinner, along with fellow tweakers Srinivas Venkataraghavan, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and Bishen Singh Bedi, successfully outfoxed the batters with his flighted short-pitched deliveries. | Graphics: Express News Service
Although Warne's and Murali's records look somehow secure infront of Ashwin onslaught, the offspinner can certainly go past Anil Kumble's record of 619 scalps in 132 Test matches, to become the most successful Indian bowler ever. Like Kumble, he depends a lot on bounce than turn. | Graphics: Express News Service
Although Warne's and Murali's records look somehow secure infront of Ashwin onslaught, the offspinner can certainly go past Anil Kumble's record of 619 scalps in 132 Test matches, to become the most successful Indian bowler ever. Like Kumble, he depends a lot on bounce than turn. | Graphics: Express News Service
Although the 1992-World Cup winner Pakistan skipper Imran Khan's record of 362 scalps in 88 Test matches look somehow impressive before Ashwin show, but he never had the luxury of bowling under favourable conditions, like the Indian offspinner, as the subcontinent pitches during 70s and 80s were graveyard for pacers. | Graphics: Express News Service
Although the 1992-World Cup winner Pakistan skipper Imran Khan's record of 362 scalps in 88 Test matches look somehow impressive before Ashwin show, but he never had the luxury of bowling under favourable conditions, like the Indian offspinner, as the subcontinent pitches during 70s and 80s were graveyard for pacers. | Graphics: Express News Service

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