In the IPL, Ravichandran Ashwin created a name for himself with his shrewd and cunning exploits. However, since making his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011, Ashwin has made it a habit to pick up wickets, especially in dusty and dry conditions that encourage turn. He has established a reputation for himself in the shorter game formats, particularly in T20 cricket, where his accuracy and cunning have made him a reliable bowler. He has succeeded in more than filling Harbhajan Singh’s shoes and has emerged as India’s top bowler in the continent.
In addition to helping Tamil Nadu to triumph in the domestic one-day trophy in 2009, Ashwin’s continuous performance at the domestic level helped him stand out and gain a contract with the BCCI. Early in 2010, Harbhajan declined to play in the first two home games against South Africa, thus Ashwin was called to fill in. Unfortunately, he was denied the coveted India Test cap.
A longer opportunity came in June 2010 when India opted to try something new on their journey to Zimbabwe for a tri-series following their impressive performances for the Chennai franchise in the ensuing IPL.
The off-spinner was selected for the Indian squad for the 2011 World Cup in the Indian subcontinent, after frequently being in and out of the team. He only appeared in the quarterfinal and two other games, and he was not included in the final.
When given the chance, Ashwin has consistently seized it. He has replaced Harbhajan as the Test team’s starting lead spinner since the selectors decided not to play him in the Test series against the West Indies in 2011. Particularly during Test matches in India, he and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha forged a productive relationship.
With an amazing total of 29 wickets in the series, Ashwin began his journey as India’s go-to bowler on subcontinental grounds after being granted his first prolonged Test run and being named Man of the Series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2013.
In the process, he joined Erapalli Prasanna (32) and Harbhajan Singh (32) as the third Indian off-spinner to take 25 or more wickets in a series (26). In the first Test of the home series against the West Indies in November 2013, Ashwin scored his second Test century and partnered with Rohit Sharma for a record-breaking 280-run seventh wicket partnership. Ashwin later took his 100th wicket in his 18th Test, setting yet another record.