Ashwin on Waugh's praise: This accolade will be hard to live up to

Ravichandran Ashwin said that he was thrilled at former Australia skipper Steve Waugh referring to him as "the Bradman of bowling".

After R. Ashwin became the quickest bowler to claim 250 Test wickets last weekend, Steve Waugh paid the off-spinner the ultimate tribute by comparing him with the game’s greatest.

R. Ashwin said he was thrilled at Steve Waugh referring to him as “the Bradman of bowling”. “It’s obviously a great honour when one legend of the game compares you with the best to have ever played the game,” the off-spinner said.

“Steve Waugh is one captain I have admired over the years, and grew up watching him lead a near-invincible Australian side. He raised the bar for other skippers. This accolade will be hard to live up to but I will strive earnestly to ensure my performance graph is always high.”

After the off-spinner became the quickest bowler to claim 250 Test wickets last weekend, Waugh paid Ashwin the ultimate tribute by comparing him with the game’s greatest while talking to the media at the Laureus Awards in Monaco.

“He is the Bradman of bowling. Ashwin is doing what the Don did with batting. Pretty incredible stuff, and he is a handy batsman too,” Waugh had said. “Ashwin is the player that Australia have to overcome, and then they probably have a chance. His record in India is just phenomenal.”

“India are very hard to beat in India,” Waugh added. “They are a settled side and everyone is very confident in their roles.”