Mathew Hayden recalls conversations with R Ashwin: ‘Transference of information, much like what I had with Bishan Bedi years ago’ | Cricket News
R Ashwin called it a day on his international career on Wednesday. The off-spinner has scalped 537 Test wickets and is regarded as one the best among his generation. Recalling conversations with him in Ashwin’s early days at Chennai Super Kings former Australian cricketer Mathew Hayden said the “transference of information” was similar to the one he had with the late Bishan Singh Bedi.
“I’ve been very privileged to share many a bus-side seat on the way to the ground in Tamil Nadu, at the beautiful Chepauk Stadium, and with the Chennai Super Kings. As a young kid, as I was coming to the end of my career, he’d cuddle up, and we’d talk about the game—how he could counteract the sweeper and why I swept. So, in many ways, it was a transference of information, much like what I had with Bishan Bedi years ago. He’s a lovely human being and a very enjoyable character to play with as well,” Hayden said speaking on Star Sports.
In addition to the impeccable craft of bowling off-spin, Ashwin was also a thinking cricketer and always had a plan up his sleeve to get the better out of the batsman. “A very smart cricketer. And you know, he’s a cricketer who just stays on task, always working out a cunning plan. He’s got great belief in his own ability. He’s quite polarizing in many ways when it comes to the cricketing public, and even to his own team—he’s a very strong-minded person. But I personally want to wish Ashwin a wonderful retirement,” Hayden said.
Ashwin made his debut in 2011 against West Indies on the back of impressive stints for CSK in IPL. In addition to 537 Test wickets Ashwin also has scalped 156 ODI wickets and 72 T20I wickets. The 38-year-old said that despite retiring from international cricket he would continue to be part of domestic cricket in India and was also brought CSK in the recent auction after Rajasthan Royals decided to let him go.
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