That bowlers have it tough is a well-documented fact of modern cricket. And their job becomes harder even as the length of a cricket match shortens. Bowling in a Twenty20 game is a prospect that must make even the hardiest bowler balk - the short boundaries, the field restrictions, the flat tracks and the license to bludgeon each delivery all conspire against the bowler.
In such a scenario, every captain wishes for of the services of a bowler who can deny the opposition runs in Powerplays and pick up crucial wickets with attacking bowling. MS Dhoni is one captain to have been granted his wish in the IPL in the form of the trusty Ravichandran Ashwin.
The tall, strapping off-spinner has emerged as one of the best Powerplay bowlers in recent times. He shot into prominence in IPL 2010 where he ended up as CSK’s second highest wicket-taker with 13 scalps – Muralitharan had 15. He also had the best economy rate (6.10) among those who had bowled six or more overs in the tournament. After playing a pivotal role in Chennai’s victorious IPL campaign, Ashwin and Muralitharan had a key role in the title-win at the Champions League Twenty20 that followed. Together they accounted for 25 batsmen, out of which the younger partner scalped 13 at an economy rate of 6.51. What makes Ashwin special in the shorter formats of the game is the variety in his bowling; he uses his deliveries intelligently, without getting predictable.
The carrom ball, known to trick batsmen, gives his captain the option of opening the bowling with spin. Ashwin’s towering frame, on the other hand, helps him get some extra bounce off the wicket, deceiving batsmen. While the 24-year-old likes to mix his deliveries up and vary his pace and length, he, unlike many modern day spinners, isn’t obsessed with the mystery balls, losing sight of the basics. He uses the variations only to complement his strong stock ball – the off-spinner – and an immaculate line and length. By his own admission, having started his career as an opening batsman has helped him read the batsman’s mind and strategise more effectively. To complete the package, Ashwin has a big heart and an unwavering mental strength.
He’s someone who believes in taking adversity in his stride and striking hard when the opportunity arises. Ashwin’s fighting spirit was on display during CLT20 2010 in South Africa. Dhoni called him to bowl the super-over against Victorian Bushrangers to decide the outcome of a tied match and he was hammered for 23. Chennai lost. In their next match, the Warriors, chasing down CSK’s modest 136, needed 32 from the last three overs with seven wickets in hand. Ashwin convinced his captain to give him a chance to redeem himself.
When he got it, he didn’t let it go, picking up two crucial wickets giving away only seven runs. The pressure created by Ashwin in the 18th over was doubled by Muralitharan in the 20th and Chennai qualified for the semi-finals. Ashwin’s responsibility in the Super Kings camp will go several notches higher this season since they have lost their wily magician Muralitharan to the Kochi Tuskers Kerala. The off-spinner may have got only two games in India’s triumphant World Cup campaign (he picked two wickets in each game), but when Dhoni dons his yellow jersey, the Chennai lad is sure to figure prominently in the team’s plans.
