A one-off genius like Ravichandran Ashwin comes off very rarely – Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan batsman Ramiz Raja has lauded India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Raja feels a one-off genius like Ravichandran Ashwin comes off very rarely.

Ashwin has been a consistent performer for the Indian team in the Test format and he has done a fine job.

In fact, Ashwin has improved his performances in the overseas conditions in the recent past, which has played a key role in India’s success. The off-spinner has scalped 409 wickets in 78 Test matches at an impressive average of 24.69. Ashwin has taken 30 five-wicket hauls and seven ten-wicket hauls in his glorious Test career.

Ashwin has all the variations under his belt and he knows how to get the best out of himself. The off-spinner is a smart bowler and he has breathed down the neck of the best in the business.

“Ashwin is an amazing off-spinner. He has the floater, he spins the ball, delivers the ball from different angles and is intelligent. A one-off genius like him comes very rarely. So you should value him a lot,” Raja told India News.

On the other hand, Pakistan hasn’t been able to produce quality off-spinners after the retirement of Saqlain Mushtaq and Saeed Ajmal. Raja feels the removal of dusra is the reason why Pakistan is not producing quality off-spinners.

“The two individuals you talked about, they had based their greatness on the Doosra. Since the time the Doosra has been sidelined, the spinners have to show themselves like Ashwin,” observed Raja.

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin is going to play a key role for the Indian team in the upcoming World Test Championship final against New Zealand and also the five-match Test series against England. The WTC final will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18 whereas the Test series against England will begin from August 4.