Man of Steel

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN

Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the standout performers of this World Cup. There have been only a handful of spinners who have managed to buck the trend of pace bowling dominance, Ashwin stands foremost. The right-handed spinner was brought at a crucial time of the Ireland innings yesterday, when Ireland openers were going great guns and India were desperately looking for a breakthrough. Ashwin did just that, removing Paul Stirling for 42. Ashwin was summoned once more as Ireland were looking to launch on a solid platform, and the spinner didn't disappoint his captain on that occasion either. He got rid of dangerous-looking Andy Balbirnie for 24 and finished with figures of two for 38 for an overall haul of 11 wickets in four matches.