5 cricketers who made a successful transition from T20s to Tests

#2 Ravi Ashwin

Ashwin started as a mystery bowler to become a Test specialist

When off-spinners across the world spent time honing their 'doosras'- the ball that straightens after pitching and is a kind of a googly for an off-break bowler, Ajantha Mendis swirled the cricketing world by introducing the 'carrom ball', a delivery that turns away after pitching.

The astonishing success of the carrom ball made it a potent weapon in an off-spinner's arsenal. A little known off-spinner from Tamil Nadu mastered this delivery and made his name in domestic cricket. He was rewarded for his innovation with a place in Chennai Super Kings' squad where he impressed everyone with his gutsy bowling.

From that point onward, there was no looking back for R Ashwin who swiftly made it into India's limited overs team as well. His accurate bowling and variations made him a mainstay bowler in India's limited overs team and when the retirement of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh's loss of form created a space for a spinner in India's Test team, he filled the spot effectively.

As the carrom ball become redundant, Ashwin worked on the classic weapons of an off-spinner -- the drift and the bounce -- to increase his potency in Test cricket. India's preference for spin-friendly wickets to enjoy home advantage benefited the off-spinner and from 2015, he is the highest wicket-taker in Tests the world.

The rise of Ashwin is an inspiring tale of hard-work and smart innovations that resulted in roaring success.