R Ashwin, the premier off-spinner of India, has completed a decade this year as the leading wicket-taker across all formats. Ashwin has enjoyed unparalleled success over the past 10 years, especially in home conditions. He has been a T20 specialist and also one of India’s biggest match-winners in Test cricket.
Ashwin has completed this decade as the most prolific bowler with 564 wickets across all formats. He is followed by English pace pair, James Anderson (535) and Stuart Broad (525). With 472 and 458 wickets, respectively, New Zealand pacers Tim Southee and Trent Boult are also in the top 5.
Virat Kohli In This Decade
Between Kohli and the next batsman on the list, there is absolute daylight.
By all measures, Indian cricket has had a dominant decade winning a World Cup, a Champions Trophy and finishing as the world’s number one Test side.
Speaking of the year, Virat Kohli said it was a decent year for Indian cricket, but also spoke of the 30 minutes at the World Cup, when India was knocked out of the World Cup after the semi-final defeat to New Zealand.
“2019 has been one of the best years for Indian cricket,” Kohli said after victory in Cuttack. “Apart from the 30 minutes [in the semifinal loss against New Zealand] in the World Cup, it’s been a great year. We’ll keep chasing that ICC trophy, this group deserves it for the amount of hard work we have put in. We have a vision in place.”
The pace-bowling team was also praised by Virat Kohli as he said that they were a key reason for India’s good year. “Having a bunch of fast bowlers who can bowl out any opposition anywhere – them taking the attention away from the spinners in India is a huge achievement. We feel we have it in us to win series overseas, not just the odd game,” he added.
