‘A tremendous thinker of the game’ - Marnus Labuschagne heaps praises on Ravi Ashwin

One of the finest spinners to have ever graced the game, Ravichandran Ashwin has been nothing short of a nightmare for batters in his Test career so far. While the talismanic off-spinner boasts of a jaw-dropping record in home Tests, his overseas numbers have also enhanced in recent years. In fact, he played an instrumental role in India’s 2-1 triumph over Australia last year.

On the pace-friendly Australian tracks, Ashwin took 12 wickets in three games. He also gave a hard time to Marnus Labuschagne, the top-ranked Test batter at the moment. Recalling his battle against the Indian spinner, the right-handed batter called Ashwin a ‘tremendous thinker of the game.’ Giving his take on the spinner’s success, Labuschagne said the 35-year-old explores different ways of taking wickets and is never short of options.

Not all bowlers are Ravi Ashwin: Marnus Labuschagne

“The reason Ashwin’s record is so good is because he’s a tremendous thinker of the game. So, he’s always thinking about how he can get you out. About what you are doing. And so what he’s doing to counter that? And then he seems to go, “Ok now I’m going to change, so that you’re going to do this.” That’s what makes him really good. Now, not all bowlers are like that,” Ashwin was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“There are other bowlers who have really good deliveries and can bowl really well but that thinking of getting you out, that’s an acquired skill,” he added. Notably, Marnus is currently in Pakistan for a historic all-format series. Hence, he’s set to tackle the spin challenge in the sub-continental nation. However, his battle against Ashwin would have given the youngster a fair idea about how to tackle quality spin.

Meanwhile, Labuschagne also went onto laud Ashwin’s success overseas. “I think Ashwin has played on plenty of wickets where he’s had to create the work, he’s had to create the angles, come tight or come wide. And that’s why it’s really good to play against guys like Ashwin. You obviously have to lift your game because he’s lifted his game,” said the 27-year-old further.