Ravichandran Ashwin, a seasoned Indian off-spinner, is preparing for a demanding 10-Test series, starting with a home series against Bangladesh. As he navigates the latter stages of his illustrious career, decorated with over 500 Test wickets, Ashwin remains confident that the future holds even greater spin bowling talents.
During a conversation with veteran cricket journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel, Ashwin reflected on the ongoing evolution of cricket. He acknowledged the immense impact of legendary spinners like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, stating, “I am lucky. I have learned from the legacy that Anil bhai and Harbhajan left. Everything I achieve today is because of them, and my contributions are just part of the journey.”
Continuing his insightful thoughts, Ashwin used the Indian Premier League (IPL) as an example of how the world constantly changes. “When people talk about the huge salaries in the IPL, I laugh. If the IPL is still happening in 2040, will the salaries remain the same?” he questioned.
Emphasizing the inevitable progression of the sport, Ashwin, the current number one Test all-rounder in the ICC rankings and a five-time Test century-maker, stated, “The world will continue to move forward. I will leave my mark, and someone else will take things even further. It’s like a 400-meter relay race… someone runs 100 meters, and then another person takes over for another 100 meters. This is evolution, and people will get better. I am 100 percent sure that someone will emerge who is even better, or even amazing, than me.”
Ashwin’s words highlight the humility and perspective of a player at the peak of his game. He recognizes the cyclical nature of greatness in cricket, acknowledging that his own achievements are but a stepping stone for the next generation of talented spinners to build upon.
