NEW DELHI: Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden feels Ravichandran Ashwin's stats are "simply phenomenal" however Harbhajan Singh in his top had to shoulder more accountability since he did not have the fast bowling toughen which Ashwin will get.
ALSO READ: Ashwin quickest to 300 Test wickets
Ashwin not too long ago broke Dennis Lillee's file to transform the fastest bowler to 300 wickets in 54 Test fits. Hayden had faced Harbhajan in his top and also watched young Ashwin from close quarters all over his days with Chennai Super Kings.
ALSO READ: Harbhajan defends Shardul Thakur's 'No. 10' jersey
"I think stats often lie but having said that, some of the milestones show remarkable respect to Ravichandran Ashwin, who is fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket. Even if he (Ashwin) plays for another five years, he would be remembered as one of the greats of his generation. His skill-set, like Harbhajan, is masterful but he is probably not as attacking offspinner as Harbhajan was," Hayden informed PTI all over an exclusive interview on Thursday.
Hayden put the comparison in context by way of bearing in mind the type of bowling attacks these two had for toughen.
"But then Ashwin doesn't really need to be as attacking as Bhajji. His role within this side is well-defined by a slightly better fast bowling attack (as support cast) than what my generation was facing. You line-up Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and put Jasprit Bumrah into the mix with Jadeja as the second spinner as well. So Ashwin is playing his role and doing it successfully," Hayden explained.
"Harbhajan I believed in his technology was once 'the dominant bowler' particularly against Australia so if Bhajji wasn't taking wickets, India were in hassle. I do not believe Venkatesh Prasad was once a gorgeous Test fit bowler. I believe Harbhajan was once the lone role maker.
"With due admire, Zaheer Khan or Javagal Srinath were glorious bowlers however I believe they were much less of a danger compared to guys which can be there now," Hayden stated.
However, when requested to check Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, the previous opener with more than 8000 Test runs and 30 loads stated that both are destined for greatness in their own manner.
"Kohli, Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson are massively other players and good thing about these kind of guys is that each one of them is stepping on greatness in their own unique ways along with Cheteshwar Pujara and his 'Rahul Dravid like way' to Test cricket," the burly Queenslander stated.
"Williamson's backfoot play and talent to play the ball overdue in all stipulations is one thing we haven't noticed in fashionable players. Kohli's duvet drive and talent to attack bowlers with quality working between the wickets and the style by which he performs spin is unique.
"Now come to Smith with his unorthodox back-and-across type of approach - with that technique you might say he should not have achieved anywhere near what he is. The reality is that high performance coaches should understand that there is not one right technique, most of it is between your left and right ear. These guys are great players as in their heads, they have got it spot on."
Quiz him on an imaginary battle between Kohli and Glenn McGrath's probing off-stump line, Hayden stated," he would have found a way I think like all great players do."
"You can cast shadow over technique and everyone has their own flaws but reality is that they overcome those deficiencies with application and commitment. So Kohli would have done fine against Glenn I think."
Kohli has had his proportion of struggles in the English stipulations and Hayden feels that he can connect with Kohli because England was once one country where he never found his mojo until his final tour when he got a century at the Oval.
"Having a moderate season in stipulations like England (in 2014) might had been a just right thing for Virat. He has learnt most probably what he has to do subsequent time round. I was in the similar boat as well as I was scoring 1000 runs in County cricket in England however all over Test fits, I had a definite role to play.
"Well, it didn't get me results in England, all the way through my occupation. It was once one venue where I battled a bit because I too had an attacking technique like Virat. He loves to hit the ball like every Indian players do. But in England, it's important to leave the balls, build runs and therefore wise the Pujaras or the Rahanes do smartly because, they leave a lot of deliveries. It's a special mindset," he stated.
ALSO READ: Ashwin quickest to 300 Test wickets
Ashwin not too long ago broke Dennis Lillee's file to transform the fastest bowler to 300 wickets in 54 Test fits. Hayden had faced Harbhajan in his top and also watched young Ashwin from close quarters all over his days with Chennai Super Kings.
ALSO READ: Harbhajan defends Shardul Thakur's 'No. 10' jersey
"I think stats often lie but having said that, some of the milestones show remarkable respect to Ravichandran Ashwin, who is fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket. Even if he (Ashwin) plays for another five years, he would be remembered as one of the greats of his generation. His skill-set, like Harbhajan, is masterful but he is probably not as attacking offspinner as Harbhajan was," Hayden informed PTI all over an exclusive interview on Thursday.
Hayden put the comparison in context by way of bearing in mind the type of bowling attacks these two had for toughen.
"But then Ashwin doesn't really need to be as attacking as Bhajji. His role within this side is well-defined by a slightly better fast bowling attack (as support cast) than what my generation was facing. You line-up Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and put Jasprit Bumrah into the mix with Jadeja as the second spinner as well. So Ashwin is playing his role and doing it successfully," Hayden explained.
"Harbhajan I believed in his technology was once 'the dominant bowler' particularly against Australia so if Bhajji wasn't taking wickets, India were in hassle. I do not believe Venkatesh Prasad was once a gorgeous Test fit bowler. I believe Harbhajan was once the lone role maker.
"With due admire, Zaheer Khan or Javagal Srinath were glorious bowlers however I believe they were much less of a danger compared to guys which can be there now," Hayden stated.
However, when requested to check Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, the previous opener with more than 8000 Test runs and 30 loads stated that both are destined for greatness in their own manner.
"Kohli, Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson are massively other players and good thing about these kind of guys is that each one of them is stepping on greatness in their own unique ways along with Cheteshwar Pujara and his 'Rahul Dravid like way' to Test cricket," the burly Queenslander stated.
"Williamson's backfoot play and talent to play the ball overdue in all stipulations is one thing we haven't noticed in fashionable players. Kohli's duvet drive and talent to attack bowlers with quality working between the wickets and the style by which he performs spin is unique.
"Now come to Smith with his unorthodox back-and-across type of approach - with that technique you might say he should not have achieved anywhere near what he is. The reality is that high performance coaches should understand that there is not one right technique, most of it is between your left and right ear. These guys are great players as in their heads, they have got it spot on."
Quiz him on an imaginary battle between Kohli and Glenn McGrath's probing off-stump line, Hayden stated," he would have found a way I think like all great players do."
"You can cast shadow over technique and everyone has their own flaws but reality is that they overcome those deficiencies with application and commitment. So Kohli would have done fine against Glenn I think."
Kohli has had his proportion of struggles in the English stipulations and Hayden feels that he can connect with Kohli because England was once one country where he never found his mojo until his final tour when he got a century at the Oval.
"Having a moderate season in stipulations like England (in 2014) might had been a just right thing for Virat. He has learnt most probably what he has to do subsequent time round. I was in the similar boat as well as I was scoring 1000 runs in County cricket in England however all over Test fits, I had a definite role to play.
"Well, it didn't get me results in England, all the way through my occupation. It was once one venue where I battled a bit because I too had an attacking technique like Virat. He loves to hit the ball like every Indian players do. But in England, it's important to leave the balls, build runs and therefore wise the Pujaras or the Rahanes do smartly because, they leave a lot of deliveries. It's a special mindset," he stated.
Ashwin enjoys better support than Harbhajan: Hayden
![Ashwin enjoys better support than Harbhajan: Hayden]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
November 30, 2017
Rating:
