Indian spin great Erapalli Prasanna has called Ravichandran Ashwin the world's best spinner currently but urged the premier off-break bowler to give the ball more air.
In the four-Test series against England, Ashwin picked up a whopping 28 wickets besides scoring 304 runs.
"There is no doubt that Ashwin is the best striker bowler we have. He is the best spinner in the world now," Prasanna said.
The 76-year-old advised Ashwin to flight the ball more often. "Unless and until he makes the batsmen step out and drive it will be a little difficult for him. In the back of his mind he has got a leg break which he thinks is very effective. "But watching him, the batsmen will easily know that he is going to bowl that delivery. From his action you can easily find out that he is going to bowl that one."
Prasanna was part of the famouse Indian spin quartet of the 70s that also included B S Chandrasekhar, Bishan Singh Bedi and S Venkataraghavan.
The former India cricketer from Bengaluru had words of appreciation for Ravindra Jadeja. "We also largely need to direct our success to Ravindra Jadeja because he kept one end tight (against England). These two have largely contributed to our series win against England."
Known for his mastery over flight, Prasanna further said on Jadeja, "Now Jadeja has come to a stage wherein he can read the mind of batsmen and turn out to be a strike bowling match winner."
Prasanna felt young all-rounder Jayant Yadav's spin bowling is not cut out for Test cricket. "If you really ask me Jayant Yadav, I do not think, he will be able to bowl long spells at all. He is an useful batsman for T20 or one-day matches and he can bowl good four overs in these two formats.
"He has already proved that in longer version of the game, he is not a strike bowler. He is not meant to be strike bowler."
Nadeem in fray for T20
New Delhi: Jharkhand's seasoned left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem has made a strong case for himself to be considered for the six-match limited overs series against England after Ravindra Jadeja's understudy Axar Patel on Thursday underwent a finger surgery in Mumbai.
With Axar ruled out and Jadeja expected to be sparingly used during the upcoming series (3 ODIs and 3 T20 Internationals), Nadeem, who is currently the highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy with 50 scalps, comes into the picture for the shortest format.
Incidentally, Nadeem had 51 wickets in 9 games during the last Ranji Trophy (2015-16) season. With 100 plus wickets in two Ranji seasons, it will be difficult to ignore Nadeem, who has done the hard yards in domestic cricket in the last decade.
He has also played 83 T20s, including a fair share of IPl games with a decent career economy rate of under seven runs per over (6.59). There is a strong possibility that India's top players will be playing the 50-over format considering that it will be the last chance to have some ODIs under their belt before the Champions Trophy. The national team is still to play five more Tests followed by the IPl.
With another gruelling four-Test series against Australia awaiting in first part of summer, it could be a case of Jadeja being used for the ODIs and rested for the T20 Internationals.
India does not have any more T20 Internationals for the time being, allowing the selection committee to try some of the other players.
The Indian selectors have followed a systematic pattern over the past few years, which could logically lead to Nadeem's selection. The specialists in each department has been identified in the last two years and team selections have gone as per plan unless the team management has demanded something specific like a left-arm pacer, which led to Barinder Sran's surprise inclusion during the Australia ODI series in January.
Similarly, the template for the left-arm spin department is a set one. Jadeja is top left-arm spinner across all formats.
However, whenever rested, Axar has taken Jadeja's place most of the times. Just like Jayant Yadav has been Ravichandran Ashwin's understudy. Now with Axar ruled out of the England series, Nadeem stands a good chance of making it to the national side.
The 27-year-old has played at all levels save senior India and limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a fair idea about his capabilities.
‘Oz series will be easier’
Kolkata: Ruling out competition with Parthiv Patel, India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha on Thursday said the forthcoming Test series against Australia will be easier than the recently-concluded one against England, which the hosts won 4-0.
The Gujarat stumper impressed with the bat in the three matches he played against England after Saha was ruled out with an injury following the second Test at Visakhapatnam.
"There is no competition with him (Parthiv). I like to cash in on my chances. I am not in any competition with anybody," Saha told reporters on the sidelines of his club Mohun Bagan's practice session for a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) local league match.
The 32-year-old added, "Parthiv has played well and the team has won so it's good. Now when the selection will happen the picture will be clear.
"I don't think about it. Parthiv is also trying to come back into the fold, so whatever selectors will feel right is right."
Asked about Australia's tour of India early next year, Saha said, "It can be easier than England since they do not have a good record in Asia lately. There are few new players who have not played in India. "It won't be easy for them. At home, whoever plays are always favourites. There is our recent form also."
Returning after his rehab at the National Cricket Academy, Saha batted for the first time since getting injured.