Ashwin made the announcement of his retirement from all types of worldwide cricket on Wednesday, forsaking a legacy as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker.
Renowned former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif has expressed his admiration for the recently-retired Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, referring to him as a ‘genius’ with the potential to guide the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) sooner or later.
Ashwin made the announcement of his retirement from all types of worldwide cricket on Wednesday, forsaking a legacy as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker. Beyond his spectacular statistics and invaluable contributions with the bat, Ashwin has been lauded for his means to repeatedly adapt, method the sport with a strategic mindset akin to a scientist, and uphold rules corresponding to honest play even when it meant going in opposition to widespread opinion.
“Ashwin, as a cricketer, maybe he hasn’t received the respect he deserves in the dressing room; I don’t know about it. He’s wondering if he’ll be in the playing XI or not. He’s the world’s No. 3 bowler, and taking 537 wickets for India is a huge achievement,” Rashid informed IANS.
“Perhaps he feels that his career might be nearing its end, especially when players like Washington Sundar are getting preference, so he might be deciding whether he’ll play in the Sydney Test or not, whether he’ll play in Melbourne or not. At some point, a person reaches a boiling point. I’ve been there myself many times,” he added.
Ashwin concluded his illustrious 14-year worldwide cricket profession with a powerful file of 537 wickets at a mean of 24 in 106 Tests, solidifying his place as India’s second-leading wicket-taker after the legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble (619). Additionally, he showcased his batting prowess by scoring six Test centuries and 14 fifties.
In the limited-overs format, Ashwin additionally made vital contributions, enjoying 116 ODIs for India and taking 156 wickets, in addition to taking part in 65 T20I matches and claiming 72 wickets. Notably, he was a significant member of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning workforce and the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning squad.
“But as a cricketer, as a genius of the sport, there are lots of cricketers in India, however Ashwin is on a special stage. His qualities are of a special stage. I consider that sooner or later, he might take over BCCI or ICC as he is that succesful. He may be very humble, and also you would not even realise that he is such an enormous cricketer. Best needs to him from my facet, from Pakistan.
“He’s had an outstanding career. Look at him; as a batter, Ashwin has six centuries, which Dhoni probably doesn’t even have,” the 56-year-old opined.
Ashwin has been instrumental in India’s 12-year reign at dwelling and their victory within the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. He stands out as certainly one of solely 11 all-rounders to attain the spectacular feat of 3000 Test runs and 300 wickets. Additionally, he holds the file for essentially the most Player-of-the-Series awards tied with the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan.
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