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An IPL Unsung Hero: 5 Best Bowling Spells By Ravichandran Ashwin

Jatin

Ravichandran Ashwin has called time on his IPL career [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Ravichandran Ashwin has called time on his IPL career [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

Ravichandran Ashwin has finally called time on his IPL career and it feels like the end of an era. From making his mark in yellow with Chennai Super Kings to leading Punjab and reinventing himself at Rajasthan, the offie has done it all.

He wasn’t the aggressive fast bowler or the big six-hitter, but Ashwin brought brains into the game. With subtle variations, carrom balls and nerves of steel, he often turned matches on their head.

Across 221 IPL games, he bagged 187 wickets and left behind spells that fans still talk about. Let’s take a look at Ravichandran Ashwin’s top 5 bowling spells in the IPL after his retirement from the tournament.

5. 3/23 vs Delhi Daredevils: IPL 2012 Qualifier In Chennai

Pressure game, knockout clash and Ashwin stood tall. Delhi Daredevils were chasing a mountain of 223. Murali Vijay had lit up Chepauk with a blistering ton but Ashwin’s spell crushed Delhi’s hopes.

He got Mahela Jayawardene with a beauty, sent Andre Russell packing and knocked over Umesh Yadav for good measure. His figures read 3/23 in 3.5 overs. Delhi folded for 136 and CSK romped home by 86 runs. It was one of those nights where Ashwin showed why he was Dhoni’s go-to man in crunch situations.

4. 3/17 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: IPL 2022 In Pune

Ashwin might have been playing for Rajasthan Royals, but he still had that old spark. Against RCB, he turned back the clock. On a sluggish wicket in Pune, he strangled the middle order with clever flight and sharp dip.

He got Rajat Patidar, Shahbaz Ahmed and Suyash Prabhudessai in quick succession. His 4 overs went for just 17 runs and 3 wickets, leaving RCB’s batting in tatters. Rajasthan went on to win by 29 runs and Ashwin once again showed his knack for delivering when the chips were down.

3. 3/16 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: IPL 2011 Final In Chennai

If CSK fans remember Murali Vijay’s fireworks in the final, they also remember Ashwin’s magic with the ball. With a packed Chepauk roaring, Ashwin ripped through Bangalore’s top order. He bowled Mayank Agarwal with a classic off-spinner, dismissed Chris Gayle for a duck and then scalped Daniel Vettori. 

Figures of 3/16 in 4 overs in an IPL final? That is pure gold. RCB never recovered and CSK lifted the trophy for the second straight year. Ashwin had announced himself on the big stage.

2. 3/16 vs Kolkata Knight Riders: IPL 2010 In Chennai

This was the breakthrough moment. IPL 2010 was when Ashwin really arrived. Against KKR at Chepauk, he spun a web that left Sourav Ganguly’s men clueless. He first stumped Chris Gayle with his spin that dipped and spun past the blade.

Then he trapped Brendon McCullum and David Hussey. His figures read 3/16 in 4 overs, and he walked away with the Player of the Match award. From there, his IPL journey took off and there was no looking back.

1. 4/34 vs Kings XI Punjab: IPL 2016 In Vizag

This was Ashwin’s rare four-wicket haul in the IPL and he did it in style. Playing for Rising Pune Supergiants, he ran through Punjab’s batting order. He first removed Hashim Amla, then bowled Murali Vijay, sent Gurkeerat Singh Mann back and trapped David Miller lbw.

His 4/34 in 4 overs was the standout spell of the game. Though it came in a season to forget for Pune, Ashwin’s performance shone like a lighthouse in the dark.