India’s champion spinner R Ashwin revealed that he didn’t think he would make it to playing XI in Australia, but an injury to Ravindra Jadeja made a way for him and since then he has contributed well to the team’s cause and the off-spinner was elated to be able to do the job at his best.
In the recent day-night Test against England, the veteran off-spinner scalped 7 wickets and played a crucial role in India’s 10-wicket win in the third Test to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match Test series.
Following the massive win in Ahmedabad, Ashwin revealed that he is working on his fitness despite his aging body and was happy that he is bowling well in recent times.
Ashwin said in a video shared by BCCI on Twitter on Thursday: “I think my bowling is coming beautifully, I thought I was bowling well in the IPL. In Australia, I had a chat with Ravi (Shastri) and Virat (Kohli), they felt I was bowling well.”
He further added, “I worked a lot on my fitness, this body is aging, it has looked upwards for me since the lockdown. I have been having a lot of chats recently -- it's incredibly difficult watching the game from the dressing-room, you don't know how things work. We lost the first Test and it's extra special to come back and win.”
Reacting to his 400th Test wicket milestone, the off-spinner said: “Pleasant experience (on reaching 400 Test wickets). Good that it happened in a winning cause. We were worried after getting bowled out for 145, didn't think we didn't have many runs on the board. We then bowled beautifully on a wicket assisting us.”
On being asked on the road ahead, Ashwin said, “People are asking the same question. One thing's for sure - I've always looked to improve and every time I've thought I've bowled well, I've always found another gear. So I'll not be surprised if I surpass myself in the future as well. I want to keep improving, that's what motivates me a lot.”
He signed off by saying, “At the start of the Australian tour, I didn't think I would be starting, but then (Ravindra) Jadeja broke down and it might have had to happen.”
(With ANI Inputs)
