NEW DELHI: Skipper Virat Kohli may be the enforcer but Kapil, Laxman and Brett Lee are unanimous about India’s most valuable player — R Ashwin.
The off-spinner will be the biggest weapon as India look to dominate the home season and regain the No 1 Test ranking they ceded to Pakistan.
“Ashwin is the most valuable player. He is also always looking to improve, picking so many five-wicket hauls,” Laxman said. “He is a gritty customer. He’s the most valuable in bowling, (an asset in) batting and is part of the leadership group. And he is a great learner.”
Ashwin faced a crisis on the 2014 England tour, taking three wickets in the 1-3 series loss. Next up in Australia, he gradually found his feet, taking 12 wickets in four Tests though averaging a poor 48.66. But he added 13 scalps at 25.38 in India’s run to the 2015 World Cup semifinals.
He hasn’t looked back since then, playing major roles in the wins in Sri Lanka (21 wickets), against South Africa (31) and in West Indies (17).