Ashwin is the MVP of our team

[adi B]

If all 3 formats are taken together, Kohli would have to be the one since he's a good Test bat (needs to improve against swing), an outstanding ODI bat (despite his poor run of recent form) and statistically the finest T20 bat in the world (46+ avg at a good SR). Regd Yasir Shah, Ashwin's record in Asia is as follows (includes this match): Bat avg: 43.5, Bowl avg: 22.95 (6.24 wkts per match) This is just otherworldly! In the SC, he is, by par, the MVP in Tests.

If he played for Pakistan,the paki fans would have touted him as the next imran khan:cantstop:

[vvvslaxman]

We have to stop expecting regular contribution with bat from him. As much as he is a decent bat he is yet to reach Vettori's standard with bat before branding him as genuine all rounder.

[Marut]

If I had to choose one of the following options for Ashwin a) batting average 40 bowling average 30 b) batting average 30 and bowling average 25, I would go for option b) without battling an eyelid. Ashwin should continue to improve as a bowler, and I don't care if his batting isn't VVS class anymore. India will always continue to produce great batsmen, but it is bowlers like Ashwin who make the difference between team wins and draws/losses. Ashwin is constantly evolving but I think he hasn't reached his peak yet. He will never be a full threat outside SC conditions (as he is a finger spinner) but if he can average 30 outside SC (and sub 25 in Asia) we can say he has done his job. Ashwin has the rare capability to run through sides and this can only improve from here. I wouldn't say he is the MVP yet - in tests the MVP is Rahane at the moment, in ODIs it is Kohli.

[Gollum]

If I had to choose one of the following options for Ashwin a) batting average 40 bowling average 30 b) batting average 30 and bowling average 25' date=' I would go for option b) without battling an eyelid. Ashwin should continue to improve as a bowler, and I don't care if his batting isn't VVS class anymore. India will always continue to produce great batsmen, but it is bowlers like Ashwin who make the difference between team wins and draws/losses. Ashwin is constantly evolving but I think he hasn't reached his peak yet. He will never be a full threat outside SC conditions (as he is a finger spinner) but if he can average 30 outside SC (and sub 25 in Asia) we can say he has done his job. Ashwin has the rare capability to run through sides and this can only improve from here. [b']I wouldn't say he is the MVP yet - in tests the MVP is Rahane at the moment, in ODIs it is Kohli.

But as you said he can run through sides and also don't forget he scores runs in difficult conditions. 92 against England, the 2 100s against WI, 50s in Australia were all when we were on the backfoot. Check out the number of MOMs and MOS' he has won in this short time and compare it with Rahane, Kohli, Vijay.

[sensible-indian]

But as you said he can run through sides and also don't forget he scores runs in difficult conditions. 92 against England' date=' the 2 100s against WI, 50s in Australia were all when we were on the backfoot. Check out the number of MOMs and MOS' he has won in this short time and compare it with Rahane, Kohli, Vijay.[/quote'] Your signature about strategy and tactics is amazing.

[Gollum]

Your signature about strategy and tactics is amazing.

Not my words :winky:. It is most probably from Sun Tzu's book 'The Art Of War' but that is disputed. Heard Kasparov quote this once after one of his games and it made a deep impression on my mind.

[Vijy]

If I had to choose one of the following options for Ashwin a) batting average 40 bowling average 30 b) batting average 30 and bowling average 25' date=' I would go for option b) without battling an eyelid. Ashwin should continue to improve as a bowler, and I don't care if his batting isn't VVS class anymore. India will always continue to produce great batsmen, but it is bowlers like Ashwin who make the difference between team wins and draws/losses. Ashwin is constantly evolving but I think he hasn't reached his peak yet. He will never be a full threat outside SC conditions (as he is a finger spinner) but if he can average 30 outside SC (and sub 25 in Asia) we can say he has done his job. Ashwin has the rare capability to run through sides and this can only improve from here. I wouldn't say he is the MVP yet - in tests the MVP is Rahane at the moment, in ODIs it is Kohli.[/quote'] It's not Rahane in Tests - I'm not sure how he will play on dustbowls that assist spinners and his form fell away badly after Eng. In ODIs, the tossup for MVP is between Kohli and Dhobi since the latter also keeps and served as a good captain (for the most part in ODIs). As for Ashwin, what I'd prefer is to see him avg 40 with the bat and 25 with the ball - he has the talent and should apply himself; our batting depth is not so awesome as you make it out to be. Kohli is good in most conditions, ditto Rahane and Vijay. But, the other 3 in the top 6 are all suspect.

[Gollum]

It's not Rahane in Tests - I'm not sure how he will play on dustbowls that assist spinners and his form fell away badly after Eng. In ODIs, the tossup for MVP is between Kohli and Dhobi since the latter also keeps and served as a good captain (for the most part in ODIs). As for Ashwin, what I'd prefer is to see him avg 40 with the bat and 25 with the ball - he has the talent and should apply himself; our batting depth is not so awesome as you make it out to be. Kohli is good in most conditions, ditto Rahane and Vijay. But, the other 3 in the top 6 are all suspect.

Dude that is unrealistic, he will be rated as the GOAT(higher than Sachin, Imran, Kallis, Sobers) if he achieves those stats. Batting average 32/33 and bowling average 28/29 is more realistic and will make him an ATG.

[Vijy]

Dude that is unrealistic' date=' he will be rated as the GOAT(higher than Sachin, Imran, Kallis, Sobers) if he achieves those stats. Batting average 32/33 and bowling average 28/29 is more realistic and will make him an ATG.[/quote'] Easy to achieve this... just make him play only in the SC and ask him to work on the batting :giggle: Just kidding, of course. I think even the stats you mentioned would make him an ATG since they would be similar to Botham and Kapil, who are both placed in this category. Btw, one spin bowling AR who had 40+ bat avg and bowl avg of around 25 was Faulkner from SA, another ATG.

[sensible-indian]

Stats must be reasonably balanced in all countries for any player to go ATG. Of course, its too early to talk about potential tags. But he sure has gone to a whole new level, hasn't he? Surprising. Even as a supporter of him, I never expected this but let's see if he sustains it.

[Shogun]

Ashwin is definitely the first name on the team sheet in Asian conditions.

[Marut]

It's not Rahane in Tests - I'm not sure how he will play on dustbowls that assist spinners and his form fell away badly after Eng. In ODIs, the tossup for MVP is between Kohli and Dhobi since the latter also keeps and served as a good captain (for the most part in ODIs). As for Ashwin, what I'd prefer is to see him avg 40 with the bat and 25 with the ball - he has the talent and should apply himself; our batting depth is not so awesome as you make it out to be. Kohli is good in most conditions, ditto Rahane and Vijay. But, the other 3 in the top 6 are all suspect.

Very difficult. I think he will average <35 with the bat and closer to 30 with the ball, as years go by. 25 average for a spinner is very hard these days, even for pacers it is hard.

[Vijy]

Very difficult. I think he will average <35 with the bat and closer to 30 with the ball' date=' as years go by. 25 average for a spinner is very hard these days, even for pacers it is hard.[/quote'] As I noted above, the remark was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. As others have pointed, bat and bowl avg of 30 would be more than acceptable, in fact it would be excellent.

[Gollum]

Kohli who? Rahane who? Vijay who? All hail Ashwin, privilege to watch this future hall of famer in action. :hatsoff:

[Vijy]

Ashwin will have plenty of chance to showcase his batting in the 4th innings - given our weak batting lineup.

[Gollum]

Undoubtedly our number one cricketer in tests. We are watching a future hall of famer grow right in front of our eyes gentlemen. Time he gets his dues from so called experts.

[Vijy]

Undoubtedly our number one cricketer in tests. We are watching a future hall of famer grow right in front of our eyes gentlemen. Time he gets his dues from so called experts.

As of now, he's more of a potential hall of fame person. Played only 27 Tests thus far. After 50-odd Tests, Bhajji had a much better avg and look at what he is right now.

[Precambrian]

As of now' date=' he's more of a potential hall of fame person. Played only 27 Tests thus far. After 50-odd Tests, Bhajji had a much better avg and look at what he is right now.[/quote'] Harby didn't play in Aus in his first 35 matches (when he got to 150 wickets), Ashwin has already played 6 tests there - and even greater offspinners ave struggled there. Further Harby also benefited from playing 11 tests out of those vs WI and Zim - minnows against spin. Ashwin so far has played 5 (or 6 if we figure in Bangers)

[G_B_]

uses his height to great effect...

[Vijy]

Harby didn't play in Aus in his first 35 matches (when he got to 150 wickets)' date=' Ashwin has already played 6 tests there - and even greater offspinners ave struggled there. Further Harby also benefited from playing 11 tests out of those vs WI and Zim - minnows against spin. Ashwin so far has played 5 (or 6 if we figure in Bangers)[/quote'] Yes, but the real determining factor for Ashwin will be how much he improves his outside-SC stats in the future, i.e. will he become a Chandra, a Kumble or a Bhajji?