Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has piped India’s leading Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin to break Muttiah Muralitharan’s 800-wicket record. Ashwin, 34, has played 78 Tests for India so far, taking 409 wickets.
Hogg said that Ashwin can play in the longest format for 8 more years, saying that Ashwin can certainly push for 600+ wickets in his career before indicating the possibility of reaching Muralitharan’s landmark figure.
“Ashwin is 34 now. I think he will probably play till 42 in Tests. I think his batting might drop off but he’ll be more lethal with the ball by the time passing by. I can see him pushing 600+ Test wickets at least. He might even break Muttiah Muralitharan’s record (of 800 Test wickets) as well,” Hogg said in a conversation with Times Now.
“The reason why I think he’s so good because he is adaptable and his hunger of continuing to grow up as a cricketer. He also played county cricket to get used to England conditions and that’s how he has become so successful especially in recent years.”
Calling Ashwin the “best off-spinner in the world right now,” Hogg said that he is like a “chess player” on a cricket field.
“He’s definitely the best off-spinner in the world right now but we can’t call him the greatest off-spinner of all time due to the change of rules and conditions. Ashwin doesn’t like to be beaten whenever he’s in a contest. He is someone you want to play against because you know that you’re going to be tested and you can test him as well.
“I think he’s a very good chess player out of the cricket field. I have respect for Ashwin especially after he showed the courage of playing in tough conditions in Australia in the last tour. It’s a privilege to play against him and he’s been brilliant,” said Hogg.
