High time Ravi Ashwin becomes a regular in Test playing XI: Mohammad Kaif

Ravi Ashwin has taken the most number of wickets in the longest format of the game in 2021. With 52 wickets at an average of 16.23 as of now, he comfortably sits at the top of the wickets column for this year. Moreover, the offie picked 14 wickets in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand which saw India clinching the series 1-0.

Thus, he was declared the player of the series after his team recorded their biggest win ever, after beating the Kiwis by 372 runs in Mumbai on December 06. This was his tenth player of the series award, which happens to be the most by any Indian player.

During the two-match Test series against the Kiwis, he had surpassed Harbhajan Singh’s tally of wickets too (417). With 427 Test wickets, the bowling all-rounder has picked the third-most number of wickets by an Indian. Only Kapil Dev (434) and Anil Kumble (619) have taken more wickets than him in the longest format of the game as of now.

Ravi Ashwin is India’s trusted match-winner: Kaif

While the 35-year-old has been a regular face during India’s fixtures at home, he hasn’t really been a certainly during the overseas games. As a matter of fact, he was warming the bench throughout the England tour. His partner in crime, Ravindra Jadeja was selected ahead of him in the XI.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif took to Twitter to praise the spin-wizard, and even said that he needs to feature in both, home as well as overseas games consistently. The 41-year-old even labeled him as “India’s trusted match-winner”.

“Another Man of the Series for India’s trusted match-winner. High time Ashwin becomes a regular in Test playing XI. And I mean both home and away. Spinners need to be given confidence and Ashwin has done enough to deserve that faith,” Kaif tweeted on Monday.

Another Man of the Series for India's trusted match winner. High time Ashwin becomes a regular in Test playing XI. And I mean both home and away. Spinners need to be given confidence and Ashwin has done enough to deserve that faith. @ashwinravi99

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 6, 2021

While the off-spinner hasn’t been bad outside home, his record at home is phenomenal, to say the least. While he has taken 300 wickets and 24 fifers at home, the Tamil Nadu cricketer has picked 127 wickets outside home conditions, this includes 6 fifers. It will be exciting to see if he gets a chance to showcase his skills in the upcoming tour to South Africa.