Ahmed sees Ashwin going on to become one of the best spinners India have ever produced
Former Pakistan leg-spinner and current England spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed has admitted that India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s concentration levels during matches and practice are extremely impressive.
When asked whether Ashwin or Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal was a better spinner, Ahmed stated that he could not decide, but added that the limited overs series between the two arch-rivals would tell.
“Ajmal has a great advantage in ODIs as his doosra is very effective,” Ahmed said. “But Ashwin too has his variations. Ajmal has a better record and it’s difficult to hit him unlike Ashwin, whom batsmen take on without fear. But I respect both, they are talented. Ajmal’s doosra has yet not been cracked but Ashwin is smart and mentally tough.”
Even India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes the decision of whether Ashwin or Ajmal is better is too close to call.
“Ajmal has got a brilliant doosra, he is someone who generates a lot of pace when it comes to the ball that goes away from a right-hand batsman,” Dhoni said. “Ashwin also has the variations. He has got the flipper, googly, bowls leg spin, off-spin, the carrom ball. It’s important we treat him that way.”
“Still, the majority of his deliveries are off-spin. So, I think it’s important for him to just concentrate on the stock delivery and use the variations as just them. I feel he has done that really well so far. He will only get better with experience.”