Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @rashwin99
Former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif has praised recently retired Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as a “genius,” suggesting he could lead the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the future.
Ashwin announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket on Wednesday, ending his career as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker. While his remarkable tally of wickets and lower-order runs has been celebrated, tributes have focused on his ability to innovate, strategize, and take a principled stand on contentious issues, such as non-striker run-outs.
“As a cricketer, as a genius of the game […] there are many cricketers in India, but Ashwin is on a different level,” Latif told IANS. “His qualities are of a different level. I believe that in the future, he could take over BCCI or ICC as he’s that capable. He is very humble, and you wouldn’t even realize that he’s such a big cricketer. Best wishes to him from my side, from Pakistan. He’s had an outstanding career. Look at him; as a batter, Ashwin has six [Test] centuries, which Dhoni probably doesn’t even have.”
Ashwin’s advocacy for the non-striker run-out has been supported by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of cricket’s laws. Additionally, a recent Cricbuzz report hinted that Ashwin might have influenced some recent IPL auction rules.
Latif also suggested that Ashwin’s sudden retirement during the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Series may reflect a lack of recognition in the Indian dressing room. “Ashwin, as a cricketer, maybe he hasn’t received the respect he deserves in the dressing room; I don’t know about it. He’s wondering if he’ll be in the playing XI or not. He’s the world’s No. 3 bowler, and taking 537 wickets for India is a huge achievement.”
Latif speculated that Ashwin’s decision might have been influenced by younger players like Washington Sundar being prioritized. “Perhaps he feels that his career might be nearing its end, especially when players like Washington Sundar are getting preference, so he might be deciding whether he’ll play in the Sydney Test or not, whether he’ll play in Melbourne or not. At some point, a person reaches a boiling point. I’ve been there myself many times,” he added.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
