‘Love story made in heaven’ – Dinesh Karthik lauds R. Ashwin’s efforts with bat and ball during Chennai Test

R. Ashwin played a stellar role with the bat and ball during the first Test win in Chennai. India took a 1-0 lead in the series ahead of the 2nd and final game to be played in Kanpur. The veteran Indian star scored a century with the bat and also picked six wickets with the ball. This helped Ashwin win the Player of the match award in front of his home fans. 

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has played a lot of cricket with Ashwin. At the end of the game, the 39-year-old lauded the Indian star for the way he performed in Chennai. The former Indian star praised Ashwin during his chat with CRICBUZZ. 

“Its a love story made in heaven (Ashwin and Chennai). And why I say that is from his childhood wherever he's played cricket for Tamil Nadu, he's been an unreal off spinner. Now it's just great to see him blossom into a very mature man who knows his game as well as anyone who's played the game and brings it out at the moment that he wants it to today was an example” said Karthik

The former Indian star also added, “The first day he batted brilliantly. Second day he bowled. Didn't get a wicket. It's only happened twice in Chennai, where he's bowled in an innings without a wicket, and then last innings and the ball started spinning, he again showed his class, and some of the records that he's tumbling is just quiet flabbergasting to say the least. And you have to put him with the greats of the game, who is played among all rounders."

Also Read: R. Ashwin speaks about replacing Harbhajan Singh and copying his action after Chennai Test

Dinesh Karthik wants R. Ashwin to be applauded more 

During his chat with CRICBUZZ, Dinesh Karthik said “Some of the records that he's tumbling are just quite flabbergasting, to say the least. You have to put him in the greats of the game who has played among all-rounders. We speak about the number of hundreds and fifers taken in one game, he is just behind Ian Botham”

“You speak about the number of wickets picked, he's just eighth in that list. If you see the strike rates of the bowlers who have picked more than 400 wickets, only Dale Steyn is ahead of him. Sometimes I feel we are a tad bit unfair to him when we say, 'Oh, he's not done well. Oh, he could have done better here” said Dinesh Karthik.

The biggest compliment that Karthik paid towards his former teammate was his comparison with Anil Kumble. “There was a phase in Indian cricket where you could do away with one or two batters if they were not around but you couldn't do away without Anil Kumble. I think Ashwin has taken over that mantle where you can't play a home series without him. He is the deal breaker. It's a make-or-break if Ashwin is there in the team or not."