‘India Will Miss Him’ - Anil Kumble Praises Ashwin For An Illustrious Cricket Career

India’s legendary spinner, Anil Kumble praised Ravichandran Ashwin for delivering consistent performances for the Indian Cricket Team. Ashwin has been a crucial part of the Indian side at home ever since his debut in international cricket. The ace spinner has displayed his heroics and saved his team on multiple occasions. 

Ahead of a big milestone of 100 Test caps that he is going to achieve while playing the fifth and final Test match against England at Dharamsala, he got a huge commendation from  Kumble when he reflected on the illustrious career of the modern-day spin great. While lauding the Tamil Nadu-based cricketer on his 500-wicket milestone, he also greeted him on this rare milestone of 100 Test caps.

In a media interview, Kumble compared his career with that of Ravi Ashwin and expressed that he should have played his 100th match a lot sooner. The veteran Indian spin great also questioned why Ash is deprived of his slot when India travels to play outside the Indian subcontinent. 

“I guess even his career has been similar to mine; he probably started later, I started a bit early. But otherwise, it pretty much mirrors some of the things I went through. In my view, he should have played his 100th much earlier. But for some reason, he hasn't. No one is sure why he doesn't get picked when India travels outside of the subcontinent. That's a bit strange, something I have always been perplexed by. It did happen to me too, but this is very different,” he stated. 

The 53-year-old ex-Indian cricketer also talked about the harsh realities of cricket as the media hypes the batsmen more than the bowlers. Kumble believes that the whole country will miss Ravichandran Ashwin when he announces his retirement from International cricket. “I know people are talking about him and what he has achieved already but especially in a country like India, bowlers don't get the same kind of adulation that batters do. That's the nature of how we look at cricket in our country. We will probably realise his quality when he retires and moves on. But in my book, Ash is in the top tier of players who have played for the country,” Kumble added.

Ashwin will be in action on Thursday, March 7, when India will be facing England in the final game of the five-match Test series at Dharamsala. The ace spinner will be wearing the 100th Test cap while once again eyeing to deliver magical performances with the bat and ball for the Indian team.