“There have been very few match-winners like him”

India’s bowling coach Paras Mambre has garnered praise for Ravichandran Ashwin for his efforts in winning his bowling matches in the first Test against the West Indies in Dominica. Mambri feels that India has not had as many match winners as Ashwin.

The veteran bowler finished with an astonishing 12 wickets as India won by an innings and 140 runs. The 36-year-old hit his best overseas figures of 21.3-7-71-7 to beat the hosts for 130 in the second innings.

Speaking to reporters, the 51-year-old was described by the Tamil Nadu cricketer as one of India’s greatest match-winners of all time. As quoted by The Indian Express, he said:

“As a team, we know how important R Ashwin is. In my opinion, he is one of India’s greatest winners. There have been very few match-winners like him. The number of matches he has helped us win is what I can win. Say. When we came here on day one, It was a bit dry and when we checked the local game stats we found out that spinners dominate those games.”

With 12 wickets in the game, Ashwin has now amassed 486 scalps in 93 Tests. The veteran needs 14 more to become the second Indian cricketer to take 500 wickets after Anil Kumble.

“We felt as the match progressed that it was going to be difficult to hit” – Paras Mambri

Mambri also praised the hitters for setting up the game before the spinners wreaked havoc. The former Indian tailor added:

“We felt as the game progressed it was going to be difficult to bat and the other thing was how we used the wickets. They batted and we batted too and there were situations where teams could bat for longer periods which we did. I created a rule for the bowlers to come and perform later. The way it came Ashwin and Jadeja’s later bowling is commendable.”

Despite Ashwin’s 12 wickets, Yashasvi Jaiswal was awarded man of the match for his 171. The second Test between India and the West Indies begins on July 20 in Port-of-Spain.