India's dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 was further solidified with a comprehensive victory over Bangladesh in the second Test in Kanpur. Despite rain interrupting much of the match, India's aggressive approach towards securing an outright result paid off, resulting in a seven-wicket win over their neighboring rivals. With this India ended up clinching a 2-0 clean sweep in the two-match Test against Bangladesh.
Ravichandran Ashwin played a pivotal role in India's success, excelling both with bat and ball. The 38-year-old off-spinner claimed 11 wickets in the series and scored 114 runs at an impressive strike rate of 83.21. His crucial partnership with Ravindra Jadeja in the first Test and his overall contribution earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Series.
Ramiz Raja's blunt assessment of R Ashwin as an all-rounder
Former PCB chief and Pakistani cricketer Ramiz Raja feels that Ashwin has not received the recognition he deserves as an all-rounder in his illustrious Test career.
"See how the bowlers supported Rohit Sharma in this victory innings. Fast bowlers dominated in the first inning and spinners shined in the second inning. It was an amazing Test series for Ashwin. He scoring a century at home and also taking six wickets is an amazing mastery and an amazing all-round ability, perhaps he has not got the kind of status in cricket that he should get as an all-rounder," Raza said on his YouTube channel.
"Ashwin is no less than anyone else, he scores century at every opportunity, and takes wickets at every opportunity and doesn't show too much pride, doesn't make any drama after taking a wicket, doesn't make any drama after scoring a century," he added.
Rohit Sharma's team has earned a reputation for being incredibly tough to defeat on home soil. Their recent success has garnered significant praise and admiration.
"India won the Test match easily against Bangladesh. At this point, India is the strongest team to beat on their home soil. Bangladesh had to do a lot to give a tough time to such a successful team because winning a Test match can only be a dream for any visiting team. Bangladesh didn't have the capacity to challenge India," the 62-year-old concluded.
