Was Rohit calling Ashwin 'all-time great' a slip of the tongue? Latif wonders

Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin impressed everyone recently with his performance in the just-concluded opening Test against Sri Lanka. Played at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, Ashwin claimed six wickets in the Test, besides playing a stalwart knock of 61. Following the same, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was all-praise for Ashwin and even called him an "all-time great".

"He is an all-time great in my eyes. He has been playing for so many years and performed for the country. So many match-winning performances, so he is an all-time great for me. People might have a different point of view, but from where I see, he is an all-time great for me," Rohit said after the match, acclaiming Ashwin.

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However, former Pakistani skipper Rashid Latif disagrees. He feels that while Ashwin is indeed a great spinner, he is yet to fall in the bracket of being referred to as an "all-time great". He noted that Ashwin's record overseas is not impressive enough to call him a great, while he kept Anil Kumble, Ravindra Jadeja and Bishan Singh Bedi ahead of him.

"Ashwin, undoubtedly, is a great bowler. He has variations in his deliveries. Considering Ashwin at home with the SG ball, he is the best spinner in India. However, I would disagree with his [Rohit's] statement in the away conditions. Kumble was outstanding. He served excellently," Latif said during a YouTube show with Nauman Niaz.

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"Even Jadeja has acted pleasingly. In the past, Bishan Singh Bedi was radiant. If we talk about the performances only in India, he is undoubtedly good. I think it might have been a slip of the tongue [from Rohit]. But, that could be a way of motivating his players," concluded Latif.