Premier India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin intends to not put extra pressure on himself by setting any personal goal to achieve during the upcoming two-match Test series in the Caribbean.
Ashwin is more focussed over his game and aims to contribute towards a series victory that would kickstart India's World Test Championship campaign on a wonderful note.
"I do not want to set goals or targets, put pressure on myself. I am bowling to a good rhythm, the ball is coming out nicely from the hand and I just want to continue in this vein," he told The Hindu on Monday (August 12).
"I had a rewarding time with Nottinghamshire in the English county, was among wickets and runs. So the confidence is there."
With doubts over his fitness and perennial questions regarding his overseas exploits, there will be immense pressure on Ashwin to perform.
However, the man, who took six wickets in his last Test at Adelaide in a historic win, said: "Not at all. I want to take it as it comes. Importantly from my side, I am fit and I am bowling well. And I can always bat."
Ashwin scalped 17 wickets and struck two outstanding hundreds in India's Test series win in the Caribbean on 2016 tour.
"The surfaces there can be a bit up and down. The bounce can be inconsistent. Some of the pitches can be on the quicker side too. So you got to adapt."
"They (West Indies) defeated England at home in a Test series last year. They have a really good pace attack and some young, exciting batsmen like Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer. We cannot take them lightly," he added.
Winning the Test Championship is, of course, now an extra motivation playing in whites for the country.
"It’s a step in the right direction. It gives a context and meaning to every Test series. After all, Test cricket is the most complete and testing form of the game," said Ashwin, who is also quite excited to meet his teammates after a while.
"It will be great to be with the bunch again. There is nothing quite like playing for India. We dream of it when we are young. India has been playing some very good cricket. We have exciting times ahead."
The first Test in Antigua begins on August 22, while the next one kickstarts on August 30 in Jamaica.
(Inputs from The Hindu)
