Never-say-die Ashwin's resilience and adaptability cements his place among the finest Indian all-rounders

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It’s fascinating to see how Ravi Shastri’s early prediction about Ravichandran Ashwin has unfolded over the years. A decade ago, the belief in Ashwin as a potential all-rounder was a bold vision, and today, he’s living up to those expectations, proving himself as one of India’s finest after Kapil Dev. Ashwin’s contributions, both with the ball and the bat, have been indispensable for India, particularly in Test cricket. His refusal to give up without a fight, even when the odds are stacked against him, sets him apart as a cricketer who embodies resilience and adaptability.

Ashwin’s ability to contribute crucial runs, as evidenced by his sixth Test century in Chennai on Thursday, speaks to his evolution not just as a bowler but as a genuine all-rounder. His ability to dig in when the top order collapses, and anchor the innings, shows his importance beyond just his primary role as a spinner. It’s this grit and determination that has kept him in contention to be one of the greatest all-rounders India has produced.

Shastri’s belief, back in the day, was clearly not misplaced, and Ashwin’s performances over the years have justified the faith placed in him. His relentless drive to succeed ensures that he remains a central figure in India’s Test setup, much like Kapil Dev was in his era.

Shivam Singh’s insights from their time together in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) reveals even more about Ashwin’s leadership qualities and his influence as a captain. Ashwin’s experience, tactical mindset, and never-say-die attitude make him not just a great player, but a leader who inspires his teammates to fight till the end. Whether it’s pulling the team out of trouble with the bat or delivering match-winning spells with the ball, Ashwin’s all-around contributions continue to elevate his stature in Indian cricket.

Singh’s words really capture the essence of Ashwin as a cricketer, especially his relentless drive to remain on top, whether it’s with bat or ball. Ashwin’s positive and aggressive mindset, never allowing the opposition to gain the upper hand, is what truly separates him from many others. His ability to step up in critical moments, often scoring those underrated 30s and 40s when the team is in trouble, speaks volumes about his temperament and match awareness.

“Ashwin’s positive approach to stay on top and not willing to see any opposition to walk away with advantage are some of the greats traits of Ashwin,” Shivam, who is the TNPL’s highest run-getter this year, told CricBligger.

Unlike players who stick to their strengths without exploring new possibilities, Ashwin is always searching for ways to enhance his skills, whether it’s adding new variations to his bowling or refining his batting technique. His mindset is clearly one of growth—he doesn’t rest on his laurels but keeps pushing boundaries, trying new things, and finding different ways to contribute to the team.

“Be it batting or bowling, he is the biggest all rounder after Kapil Dev. He can score runs when his team needs the most. Scored runs when his team needed the most. Ashwin has scored so many thirties and forties for India, which many won’t remember. Those were crucial knocks like the one he played against Bangladesh today,” Shivam said.

So, what separates him from the rest? What is his mindset like? Ashwin keeps doing new things to add up to his game. He keeps doing experimenting and doesn’t like walk on the same path again and again,” Shivam said while adding that Ashwin is indeed a player of many elements, and it’s his multifaceted approach that keeps him at the top. His drive to always improve and bring something new to the table is a lesson for any cricketer looking to have longevity and success at the international level.