Who is greater as of now - Ashwin or Harbhajan?

[dilliboy]

 

 

Recent discussion on cricinfo on comparing the two and most actually seem to pick Harbhajan as the greater bowler even though Ashwin is miles ahead in terms of statistics. Obviously DRS has played a role in Ashwin having such a great average at home but whom do ICFers think is the greater bowler? For me it is Ashwin all the way as Harbhajan tailed off massively in the latter part of his career and his average over 30 isn't really a great figure.

Edited February 27, 2021 by dilliboy

[vijaydude]

Ashwin automatically is the better bowler on account of him not being a chucker.

[Suhaan]

Ashwin Thala

Edited February 27, 2021 by Suhaan

[vijaydude]

 

So, India began embracing DRS only from the previous English tour to India. Remember the days when India alone was against DRS for some *ed up reason? Let's see what Ashwin (and for the spice, Jadeja) were doing with their bowling till that series.

 

 

Ashwin before DRS:

 

 

 

What about Jadeja?

 

 

Both of our ATG spinning legends were better than the chucker, Harbhajan, without the need of DRS.

 

Edited February 27, 2021 by vijaydude

[Ankit_sharma03]

From day-1 he was better then bhajji

[zen]

A close call ... may flip up a coin ... Bhajji may have a better overseas (outside Asia) avg though iirc (posted #s on one of the threads) 

 

As an AR cricketer, Ashwin is relatively better 

 

 

[SRT100]

Bhajji was great when younger playing in India, but his form dipped unfortunately.

 

2001 was peak Bhajji.

[SK_IH]

Harbhajan had his share of performances but he was always under shadow of Anil Kumble. He blew hot & col far too often & there used to be that nonsensical phrase used for his bowling in mid 2000s i.e. when he picks up a wicket early in his spell he gets a truckloads of wickets, otherwise he gets impatient. He enjoyed the support of the two captains he played under but IMO he never became the match winner in the mould of Kumble. He enjoyed the prospect of playing second fiddle in a bowling partnership. 

Secondly, Harbhajan always used to struggle when he came up against SL & Pakistan, two fine teams against spinners. Infact he used to get smashed, becoming a liability.

Overall, Ashwin is a tier above Harbhajan as a bowler. Ashwin has more guiles & wiles as a spinner than Harbhajan. Thankfully, Ashwin will most probably go past Harbhajan's tally of wickets in an year's time, confirming his superiority over Harbhajan even in records.

 

[King6]

5 minutes ago, zen said:

A close call ... may flip up a coin ... Bhajji may have a better overseas (outside Asia) avg though iirc (posted #s on one of the threads) 

 

As an AR cricketer, Ashwin is relatively better 

 

 

Except in Southh Africa Ashwin bowling record better than harbhajan.

[Ankit_sharma03]

question shud be now Ashwin vs Kumble

[zen]

Bhajji gave some good performances in memorable series (for me):

 

 

[Ankit_sharma03]

Few advantage bhajji has was

 

• 15 deg rule which offies exploited at a time
• his action was always dodgy
• better slip fielder (ashwin wud have had a 7fer had our great slips fielder n parthiv wont have dropped 3-4 catches of his in SA)
• Only kumble at other end that but Ahswin wkts in last few years are shared by Shami, Umesh, jaddu at home

[Real McCoy]

Clearly Ashwin. Harbhajan was good when he started especially that 2001 series v Aus. But I blame his downfall due to the doosra which spoiled his technique and he had to bowl with scrambled seam to confuse the opponent which didnt work. All the traditional wiles of an offie such as flight, loop and drift was missing in his later career. Ashwin's tough period started early and he had to use his mind to take his level to the next degree against tougher conditions. Sometimes, it would look ol scientist Ashwin trying too many things but it has worked for him recently and hopefully in the future as well. Also Ashwin earns an extra point from me for showing up the full sleeved javelin throwers as Bedi calls them and tougher rule change implemented to ban chuckers because of his indirect actions and his interview

[vijaydude]

28 minutes ago, vijaydude said:

 

So, India began embracing DRS only from the previous English tour to India. Remember the days when India alone was against DRS for some *ed up reason? Let's see what Ashwin (and for the spice, Jadeja) were doing with their bowling till that series.

 

 

Ashwin before DRS:

 

 

 

What about Jadeja?

 

 

Both of our ATG spinning legends were better than the chucker, Harbhajan, without the need of DRS.

 

Adding to this, there is also the factor of decisions going in our favor erroneously.  This is all just boomer nonsense now from the Dada batch.

[beetle]

The guy has achieved so much in short sleeves...

[vijaydude]

2 minutes ago, beetle said:

The guy has achieved so much in short sleeves...

Yup. Much like Warne was credited to the revival of leg-spin bowling, Ashwin (and Lyon) should be credited to the revival of clean, classical off-spin bowling.

[Majestic]

Ashwin is miles ahead. Even Jadeja is better.

[kohli]

Ashwin >>>>>> bhajji 

[Jay]

This is a question and you want me to answer?

 

Wait, you actually want an answer? 

 

It's not the Punjabi guy that much is clear. 

[prudent_kreeda]

3 hours ago, SRT100 said:

Bhajji was great when younger playing in India, but his form dipped unfortunately.

 

2001 was peak Bhajji.

 

Bhajji  was very potent as long as he was allowed to bowl the doosra . 

Check his performance post doosra ..