Congratulating Indian cricket team and premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for their achievements in 2015, BCCI President Shashank Manohar today said the performing players have given “immense joy” to the nation this season.
Ashwin, who was instrumental in India clinching the Test series in Sri Lanka and then against South Africa, finished the year as the No.1 Test bowler and the top all-rounder in the longest format to cap a highly successful year. Meanwhile, the Indian team finished the year on the No.2 position in Tests and ODIs.
Congratulating Team India and their performers, Manohar said, “It gives me immense joy to see the tremendous growth and progress the Indian team made over the course of 2015. The twin series victories, over Sri Lanka and South Africa, saw Ashwin’s rise as a match-winner, and were the perfect way to end what was an eventful cricketing year for the team. I congratulate Ashwin on his achievements.”
Acknowledging the achievements of Ashwin, Board secretary Anurag Thakur said, “It is a testimony to Ashwin’s incredible skills and form that he has become the first Indian bowler to lead the ICC’s Test Rankings since 1973. He has played a key role in taking India to the No. 2 position on the Test Rankings and I wish him all the best for the coming year.