R Ashwin Among the Greatest Spinners in Cricket History, Says James Foster

Former England cricketer and coach James Foster praised Chennai-born spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday, calling him "one of the best spinners of the game", after India's Ravichandran Ashwin said goodbye to international cricket on Wednesday.

Ashwin, 38, announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect after India's third Test against Australia, a game he was not selected for, ended in a draw at the Gabba, Brisbane.

Ashwin ended his 14-year international career taking 537 wickets with an average of 24 in 106 Tests and emerging as India's second biggest wicket-taker in history after the legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble. He also scored six Test centuries and 14 fifties with the bat.

His last international game was the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide, in which he took 1-53 in his 18 overs and scored 29 runs with the bat. India lost the game by ten wickets. Apart from Test cricket, Ashwin played 116 ODIs for India, in which he took 156 wickets. He was a member of the teams that won the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Apart from Test cricket, Ashwin played 65 T20I matches and took 72 wickets.

"Ashwin is undoubtedly one of the game's greats. He is one of the best spinners cricket has ever seen. What stands out about him is his ability to continuously evolve. At the top level, players must adapt as opponents try to counteract them, whether through batting or bowling. Ashwin consistently added new dimensions to his bowling and contributed significantly with the bat, making him a top-class all-rounder. He should be incredibly proud of his achievements in Test cricket," Foster told IANS.

Some of Ashwin's career highlights include winning ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year and Men's Test Cricketer of the Year in 2016, being included in the ICC Test Team of the Decade from 2011-2020. He was also crucial for the Indian team during its dominant performance on home turf, but he played a crucial role in the historical 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory for India in Australia. Ashwin’s prowess was not limited to red-ball cricket, he also excelled in white-ball formats, taking 156 wickets in 116 ODIs and 72 scalps in 65 T20Is. A key member of India’s 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy-winning squads, Ashwin’s versatility and cricketing intelligence set him apart.

Foster, a veteran of the game himself, spoke candidly about his experiences in cricket, including his current stint coaching in the Lanka T10 Super League with the Jaffna Titans franchise. “It’s been a very enjoyable week and a half here. This franchise has been fantastic to work for — it’s well-run from top to bottom, and we’re having a lot of fun,” Foster said.

The key with T10, given its short format, is creating a comfortable environment for the players. You have to bond players quickly, sometimes within a day or two, and in some cases, players might join on the match day itself. The aim is to provide clear guidance, focus on key principles from a coaching perspective, and define roles for the players," he explained. "Once the players know their roles, it's just giving them freedom to carry out their skills."

He mentioned T10 cricket is getting hotter and that it appeals greatly to the future. "It's fast-paced cricket for sure, which matches exactly with how people prefer everything in today's world quick and exciting. Even if the format looks quite straightforward, it demands extreme accuracy and skill, or you expose yourselves very quickly. It is exciting to be a part of such competitions with T10 growing and more leagues around the world.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are close to his heart during his time in the IPL. "My four years with KKR were brilliant. It's a top-class franchise, led excellently by Venky Mysore. The experience was first-class and a lot of fun," he reminisced. "Travelling across India and seeing the passionate support from the Kolkata fans was truly special.". If provided the opportunity, I would be sure to join the IPL once again. It's arguably the best competition in the world, where the best players face off in front of packed crowds," he said.

Giving advice to young cricketers, Foster spoke of the need to keep time management and remain humble with the abundance of opportunities that modern cricket presents. "The game has evolved drastically since I began playing. It was only county cricket in England, or the national team then. Now, it is all over the world. Young players should just stick to practicing their game and not get carried away with this sudden spate of opportunities. Being a good team player is very important, and coaches look for leadership qualities in the group," he said.

As Foster prepares for his next assignment, leading the Desert Vipers in the ILT20, his enthusiasm remains unwavering. “After this league, I’ll head home for a few days before travelling to Dubai for the ILT20. I’ll be leading the Desert Vipers in my third season there. It’s a fantastic competition, and I’m fortunate to be part of a brilliantly run franchise. With Tom Moody as the Director of Cricket and a good support staff, we have a fantastic set of players. I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve this season," said Foster.