Over the past couple of years, R Ashwin has copped a lot of flak for his below-par showing in foreign conditions. But on Saturday, he received a big pat on the shoulder from India's greatest spinner.
Over the past couple of years, R Ashwin has copped a lot of flak for his below-par showing in foreign conditions. But on Saturday, he received a big pat on the shoulder from India's greatest spinner.
Asked if any international cricketer reminded him of himself and his work ethic, Anil Kumble used the platform — the ICC Hall of Fame induction — to throw his enormous weight behind the man with whom he shares many things in common, including a degree in engineering.
"I think a lot of people remind me of that (him and his work ethic), but as far as the attitude on the field is concerned, I sometimes see Ashwin and see myself in him sometimes, when he's bowling, batting. He's a better batsman than me, that's for sure. But yeah, I can see that grit, I can see the determination, I can see he wants to just hang around and then do it for the team, so I see a lot of me in Ashwin.
"I think he's a fantastic cricketer, has achieved a lot in a short span (of time). Of course, there's been some question marks like how I had question marks when I played outside of India. The same thing is there with Ashwin as well, but he can only get better if he starts playing outside of India. If he doesn't play outside of India, he'll never get better. So, I see certainly Ashwin as someone who, I believe, has everything to be a fantastic cricketer for India."
This should do Ashwin's confidence a world of good.
Kumble also said that India are known to play well in knockout fixtures. He didn't exactly undermine Sunday's contest, but gave a polite reminder that beating or losing to South Africa isn't the be all and end all for MS Dhoni & Co.
"South Africa are a fantastic team. I am talking about the knockout matches where we certainly have an edge. Tomorrow's (Sunday) game is important from an Indian perspective. From a World Cup perspective, from India qualifying for the quarterfinal, I don't think it's that important. But yes, I certainly believe that India have the team to go all the way. And South Africa are a great team. They have had some fantastic players, they are on a roll.
"In terms of individuals, they have a fantastic team. The result, I don't think, will determine who will play in the quarterfinal. But I felt the India-Pakistan game was more important for India. If India had lost that game and not got the right result against South Africa, then they would have been on the back foot.
"But now, the confidence that India have will stand them in good stead. And you look at India as a team in key championships over the last five years, they have always done well. That's the confidence that I have, that in the key championships, whether it is the Champions Trophy, whether it is the World Cup, India have always done well in important tournaments, important matches. That's the confidence that I have."
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