India spinner R Ashwin picked up four wickets in the first innings of the pink-ball Test against Australia on Friday (December 18). He was the pick of the bowlers with his superb display of bowling which helped India to take the lead of 53 runs.

Ashwin talked about his bowling after the first innings and said it felt like making a debut again. India are playing in Tests after a long time because of the pandemic.

"I am so happy that we are playing Test cricket again. It's been a long time and I didn't imagine that we will be playing Test cricket looking at what's happening around," Ashwin said during a virtual press conference.

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The offie had worked on his bowling during the COVID-19 lockdown. "Me being extremely mad about the sport, did a lot of work during the lockdown. So it was refreshing to go out there and bowl, the feeling was great – the pink-ball Test and all that new thing about the pink ball," he added.

Ashwin dismissed Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Nathan Lyon in the first innings. "Felt amazing to go out there and play. I felt I was making my debut all over again so I really enjoyed bowling. Obviously, Smith's wicket was a big wicket (because of) the way he bats. 

"So it was an important wicket and I enjoyed it," he added.

(With Asian News International Inputs)