Ravichandran Ashwin, Master Of 7th Wicket Rearguard Tussles

The cynics keep harping on his numbers (wickets) in overseas Test matches, but what Ravichandran Ashwin has to show for only puts him among the ilk who have not been match winners on green tops and hard pitches. And that is because fast bowlers thrive in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. In his 39th year, Ashwin is still a champion off spinner with an action not in the classical style of Erapalli Prasanna or S Venkatraghavan, but who can question his style that has delivered 516 wickets in 100 Tests. His batting numbers make him close to being described as a legend. He has featured in 59 wins; 45 at home and 14 abroad. On Thursday (Sep 19), his stock went up, not because of his perseverance with the ball, but a majestic show of batting that pulled India out of the woods.  His century — back to back at Chepauk — epitomised his focus and spirit to compete in adverse conditions and in a dire situation. Most batters would have succumbed seeing the scoreboard at 144 for six, but Ashwin put up a riposte specialist batters would envy. Such was his confident mindset as he forged an alliance with Ravindra Jadeja for 199 runs for the seventh wicket. Ashwin actually sprang a surprise reaching his 100 in 108 balls. He has always been part of a number of seventh wicket partnerships — 516 with Jadeja, 333 with Virat Kohli, 324, and 199 with Cheteshwar Pujara. Ashwin has proved to be the master of the seventh wicket rearguard actions. Six centuries in 101 Tests with a substantial collection of wickets make him a genuine allrounder. Truly he is the pride of India, Tamil Nadu and Chennai!