From Critic to Admirer: Saqlain Mushtaq Reflects on Ashwin's Impact on World Cricket

Mumbai, Dec 18 (NationPress) Once regarded as one of the best off-spinners of his era, Saqlain Mushtaq from Pakistan expressed skepticism when Ravichandran Ashwin was included in the Indian lineup as a substitute for Harbhajan Singh. Saqlain deemed Ashwin's addition to the team a "premature selection". However, on Wednesday, as the off-spinner from Chennai announced his retirement from international cricket—ranking second only to Muttiah Muralitharan with 537 wickets in 106 Tests—he admitted that Ashwin had compelled him to alter his opinion.

Despite never facing off against each other on the pitch, Saqlain has developed a deep admiration for Ashwin's bowling over the years.

"When Ashwin joined the Indian Test squad in 2011, I gave an interview labeling it a premature selection because I believed Harbhajan was still fit to play. However, I must confess that Ashwin changed my outlook with his swift ascent, intelligence, and ability to outsmart top batters, which has established him as one of the greatest spinners in global cricket," Saqlain shared in an exclusive interview with Telecom Asia Sport.

Saqlain is celebrated as one of the finest off-spinners in cricket history, credited with inventing the "doosra"—a delivery that spins in the opposite direction to an off-break. He observed Ashwin closely while serving as a spin bowling consultant for the England team during their tour of India in 2016-17. Over the years, he has also been a consultant for the West Indies, New Zealand, and Bangladesh teams, which has allowed him to monitor Ashwin's bowling techniques.

This close observation has enabled Saqlain to analyze Ashwin's craft in depth, earning the respect of the Pakistani legend.

"He was already making a name for himself, but the turning point for me was when we conversed on a domestic flight. As we sat next to each other and discussed spin bowling and cricket in general, I realized he is not just a talented cricketer but an intelligent one who understands the art of spin," Saqlain reflected.

"Since then, I have enjoyed our conversations. I have always appreciated his bowling, and every highlight I watched left me impressed. He is a humble, intelligent bowler who can ensnare the best batters with remarkable finesse.

"When I remarked that his selection was hasty, I feared that he might struggle under the weight of expectations, given how challenging it is to succeed Harbhajan. Nevertheless, he evolved tremendously, largely because he has been an astute student of the game. His continual learning has made him a phenomenal bowler," stated Saqlain, who claimed 208 wickets for Pakistan in 49 Tests.

Saqlain asserted that Indian cricket and the global cricket community will miss Ashwin. "Undoubtedly, he will be missed. He and Nathan Lyon have kept off-spin bowling vibrant, and wherever cricket is played, Ashwin's absence will be felt."

"I wish him the best of luck in whatever he chooses to pursue next; he will approach it with the same excellence he exhibited in cricket," Saqlain expressed.

ASHWIN IS THE GREATEST BOWLER OF THE DECADE

Another Pakistani spinner, Saeed Ajmal, hailed Ashwin as a "world-class spinner and a remarkable human being", declaring him the greatest bowler of the past decade.

"With 537 wickets in 106 Tests, he is undoubtedly an exceptional bowler, but it is not just the statistics; it is his cunning that has cemented Ashwin's legacy. We share mutual respect as similar style bowlers. He admired my successes, and I did the same for him. The best part about Ashwin is that he always approached me with a cheerful disposition. We shared many laughs, even during the tense moments of India-Pakistan matches," Ajmal remarked.

"To me, Ashwin is the greatest bowler of the last decade," Ajmal concluded.

Ashwin shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from international cricket at the conclusion of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.