Border-Gavaskar Trophy: ‘Ashwin started his career as a batsman…’: Muralitharan hails India off-spinner

Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka, the most successful bowler in cricket history, hailed fellow off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin of India on Wednesday for declaring his retirement from international cricket and referred to him as an inspiration for future players.
After the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India ended in a draw in Brisbane on Wednesday, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches.

Ashwin hung up his boots as India’s second-highest wicket-taker, after Anil Kumble (619), and Murali admitted it’s no little accomplishment.
“You must remember that Ashwin started his career as a batsman, dabbling in spin as a part-time option. He soon realised the writing was on the wall for his batting aspirations and shifted his focus to bowling. Hats off to him for making that bold pivot and achieving what he has. Reaching 500 Test wickets is no walk in the park,” Muralitharan told Telecom Asia Sport (telecomasia.net) in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
Muralitharan, who retired from Test cricket after taking 800 wickets in 133 games, had seen Ashwin as a bright young player who was always willing to learn.

“I was at the tail end of my career when he came onto the scene, but he struck me as an astute young man eager to learn. He sought advice, asked thoughtful questions, and put in hard work to better himself. That drive and hunger are what set him apart,” Murali was quoted as saying by Telecom Asia Sport.
Ashwin is the second most successful off-spinner after Murali and the seventh most successful bowler in Test history with 537 Test wickets.
“To retire as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests is a monumental feat. Ashwin has made himself, Tamil Nadu cricketand the entire nation proud. I wish him all the success in his second innings,” said Murali.

Murali was delighted by Ashwin’s unwavering enthusiasm for learning.
“Even as his career was winding down, his passion for learning never waned. Look at the variations he developed – proof that he wasn’t content to rest on his laurels. He always kept pushing the envelope,” said the Sri Lankan legend.