India thrashed England by 317 runs in the second Test to level the four-Test series 1-1.
See Also: Amitabh Bachchan takes a dig at Andrew Flintoff after India's 317-run win in 2nd Test
Chasing 482 in the fourth innings, the visitors got bowled out for 164 in the second session on Day 4. It was a listless batting performance from England as none of the batsmen managed to touch the 50-run mark in the second essay.
Ashwin, who earned the Player-of-the-Match award for his match figures of 8 for 96 and a superb ton in India's second innings, played down the talks surrounding the Chepauk track.
He also mentioned that it was not just the turn that the pitch offered yielded him wickets but the “pace and guile” brought him success.
“As much as people were predicting things from the outside, I thought the balls that was doing much wasn’t getting wickets. It was the mind of the batsmen that got us wickets,” Ashwin said after India’s massive victory.
“I have been playing for years over here now and it takes pace and guile to do it. Keeping intent was very important,” he added.
The second Test welcomed the return of spectators to the stadium in India for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak started last year.
Ashwin said he enjoyed his performance in front of the home crowd.
“Every load up gives a different result in terms of which way the pitch is behaving. I try and load up differently, use the breeze, use different angles to release the ball, speed of the run-up. This is working because I have created this awareness for myself.
“This wicket was very different to the one we played on in the first game. This was a red soil wicket, the first one was a clay wicket,” he remarked.
Thanks to Ashwin’s 106, India posted 286 in their second innings and extended their lead to a massive 481. It was his fifth hundred in the longest format.
Reflecting on his batting performance, Ashwin said: “It is very important to put the pressure on the bowlers beause if you allow them to dictate terms, it is going to get easier.”
“I just wanted to take it upon myself, and after I connected the first ball, I knew I got a hang of this wicket. I am someone who tries hard, and when things don’t go my way, I try harder.”
He also credited batting coach Vikram Rathour and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane for his century.
“Vikram Rathore has been very supportive. My batting was more about hands, to think tactically instead of technically.
“Ajinkya played a crucial role in telling me that I was overthinking it. That innings in Sydney really set the tone for me.”
Debutant Akshar Patel, who finished the match with seven scalps including a five-wicket haul in England’s second innings, said variation in speed of the deliveries helped him.
“It’s a good experience, to get a five-wicket haul on debut is special,” he said.
“There was much happening on the pitch. It was about varying your speed and I just kept doing it. Forced the batsman to make mistakes. On the first day itself, it was turning. So, we bowled tight lines and got the rewards.
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled only 6 overs in the first innings and couldn’t pick a wicket, returned with the figures of 2 for 25 in the second innings.
Kuldeep acknowledged that he was under pressure as he has not played any Test in the last two years.
“I was discussing a lot with Ashwin regarding bowling in right areas and putting the pressure on the batsmen.
“It was important to stay along with the team when it’s playing well. My job was to keep control, contain runs from one end and chip in as one of the three spinners on this track. We have been planning for this series for a long time, right from the Australia series.”
Kuldeep also revealed that the team was relaxed after a heavy defeat in the series opener.
“We’re relaxed, we knew we had the team to come back and perform. Everyone was just focused on doing well in this Test.”
(With PTI inputs)