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Harbhajan or Ashwin - Better Spinner?


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Posted

One had a dream start against Aussies in that historical 2001 test series. Went on to feature in world cup victorious team and has credentials of 300+ test wickets. Also has 2 test centuries with the bat. A blackmark in his career will be the allegation of chucking against his action. Other is an IPL find, tall witty off spinner who out throned the former from national team. Played a major part in home test victory against Australia. A solid test batsman with an avg. close to 40. Played a major role in India's campaign of 2015 WC glory. Famously remembered as cutting down chuckers by mocking their action in a cricket match and been vocal about it in press. So who you think will go down as better spinner for India in history books?

Posted

As a cricketer Ashwin because he is a far better bat and not an A grade coward like Harbhajan. Harbhajan is famous for slipping under the radar when the opponent batsmen make merry, hiding behind others to protect his bowling figures or faking injuries before/during matches when the team is under the pump. Ashwin on the other hand seems to relish bowling in powerplays,death for the team's cause which spoil his bowling figures almost every single time. As a spinner this is what I think: ICC tourneys I. 50 overs ICC tourneys CgVmpzc.jpgiol35z4.jpg Clearly Ashwin steps up his game in 50 over CWC/Champion's Trophy while Bhajji has been a letdown. Ashwin was one of the reasons why we won the Champion's Trophy and was our best bowler in this year's World Cup, (in extremely batsmen friendly pitches might I add). Economy rates are similar(take into account the fact that batting run rates this decade are at an all time high) while Ashwin has much better average and SR. Bhajji's contribution in the CWC 2011 is over rated, he was tight but very unpenetrative, disappointing for a spinner in SC like conditions. 2. T20 World Cups iIQo9DB.jpgEQtkbM9.jpg Once again Ashwin sweeps the floor with Bhajji. Much better average, better SR, better economy rate, nothing to look for here. Again Bhajji's heroics in the T20 WC 2007 are over rated, average of 27 at economy rate of 7.91 is nothing special. His only moment of glory was that over to Clarke. Almost lost us the finals with his pies to Misbah. Verdict:Ashwin Test cricket eP6dEAY.jpgp1pISpb.jpg Bhajji having under his belt 4 times as many tests as Ashwin has played part in some iconic wins. His bowling in the 2001 series against the greatest team ever assembled was probably the highest point for any Indian bowler. Also his bowling records against Aus(home) and RSA(home and to away) are extraordinary. Ashwin has been ruthless at home but faltered against a well oiled English unit in 2012. (He needs to redeem himself against RSA and Eng when they tour here RSA this year,Eng next year). He came back strongly against Australia the next year and picked the MOS award. He has been ruthless in home tests in general picking up MOM/MOS awards very frequently. That shows that if he gets on a roll he is very difficult to stop, a bit like Harbhajan in his initial days. Just like Ashwin was a letdown in the England home series, Bhajji too has faltered a couple of times here and there eg home series' against Pak and Eng in 2005/6 period. But in general both are very good in Indian conditions. As far as overseas records are concerned Bhajji failed in Australia and England just like Ashwin but was very good in RSA and NZ at various points of his career. Ashwin needs to pick up during our subsequent tours to those countries. Hopefully the team management supports him(unlucky to miss out on turners in Durban and Adelaide this time around). Overall Bhajji's average(32.37) is nothing to write about. Add to the fact that he has played 69/101 tests in SC(55 in India) and another 13 in Zim/WI. So a sum total of 82/101 in favorable conditions. In spite of support of good captains(Ganguly,Dravid,pre 2011 Dhoni) and a very good catching unit his stats are nothing special. His actual worth is more like a 37/38 avg bowler. Ashwin on the other hand has played 15/24 matches in SC with a dunce captain and a very poor catching support. Average of 30.6 is decent, expect it to go to as low as 25 by 2018. Verdict:Bhajji but expect Ashwin to make up ground in the coming years ODIs Wd4u2Ej.jpgpFRgiuP.jpg Economy rates need to be seen in context. This decade, run rates have gone to a whole new level(remember last India Aus home ODI series) thanks to some ridiculous ICC rules & regulations making the contest between bat and ball skewed heavily in favor of bat. Bhajji bowled more in the previous decade when things were better for bowlers, spinners in particular. Also note that Ashwin bowls a lot in powerplays, death overs etc, so his economy generally takes a hit. Ashwin has a better average but needs to take more 4/5 wicket hauls. Anyways nobody gives a **** about bilaterals, tri nations etc these days. ICC tourneys are more important IMO. Verdict:Tie T20s International T20s(non WC)/IPL/CLT20 7eoBK8x.jpgOverall Verdict: Ashwin is better in ICC tourneys while Bhajji has an edge in test cricket. I expect Ashwin to surpass Bhajji by the time his career is done as long as team politics doesn't curtail his career (big chance of that happening with the new captain and ouster of Srinivasan). Statistically I expect him to surpass even Kapil, he will end up as our 2nd greatest all rounder of all time(above Vinoo Mankad) and our best spinner since Kumble. Exciting times for Indian cricket with a solid core of Rahane,Vijay,Ashwin,Kohli,Pujara,Shami,Umesh. I expect at least 5 of the above to end as Indian greats and 2 as ATGs by the time they are done. Another thing the issue of chucking will always weigh heavily against Bhajji. I personally think that Murali, Saqlain, Bhajji, Ajmal etc are chuckers and their records should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Posted
If they strictly enforce the law bhajji will be called for chucking right away. If he doesn't chuck he is totally useless.
VVS, Bhajji been cleared 3 times by ICC. Not sure on what basis you caling him a chucker. Naked eye?
Posted
VVS' date=' Bhajji been cleared 3 times by ICC. Not sure on what basis you caling him a chucker. Naked eye?[/quote'] Under current regulations he will be called out every single time. If Ojha is a chucker Bhajji is a serial chucker !!! Bedi was right all along.
Posted
Under current regulations he will be called out every single time. If Ojha is a chucker Bhajji is a serial chucker !!! Bedi was right all along.
Lets see if he get called in the upcoming series
Posted
Ashwin does nt chuck a bit.. He has the cleanest action. Try to bowl like him.you will feel good.
He will get caught soon :hysterical:
Posted

Bhajji chucked. Shouldn't have changed his action considering the likes of Muarali was still around. Ashwin on the other hand is clean af. Arrogance and complacency gets the better of that dumbass!

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