Ace Indian off-spinner R Ashwin was named the Player of the Series after helping the home side beat New Zealand 1-0 in the two-Test series and picking 8 wickets in the Mumbai Test win. India beat the Kiwis by a record 372 runs in the second Test to pocket the series.
During the series, Ashwin also went past Harbhajan Singh’s 417-wicket mark to become India's third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. As Ashwin came to collect his award, he was asked by Murali Kartik about his targets for the tour of South Africa, where India will play a total of three Test matches.
Ashwin got witty with his answer and gave Kartik a cheeky reply saying that he hopes to play all three Test matches in South Africa.
“Another series of South Africa coming up. What do you look forward to?” Kartik asked Ashwin.
Ashwin replied:” Nothing. For starters, I hope to play in all. I would want to go there and finish off with a series win in South Africa.”
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This was a tongue in cheek comment from Ashwin, who was benched for all the four-Test matches that India played in England on their recent tour, even on pitches like the Oval which help spinners a lot, as captain Virat Kohli opted for Ravindra Jadeja’s batting prowess and spin bowling abilities.
The Tamil Nadu offie also said that it was his 10th Man of the Series award and talked about bowling at the Wankhede. He picked a total of 14 wickets in the series, just behind Ajaz Patel’s haul of 17 scalps.
"I enjoyed Wankhede honestly, and every day there was something new, and I could challenge both edges. It was a wonderful performance by Ajaz. It doesn't spin all the time in Wankhede, and he used the seam and put the ball in the right places, and there was a bit of destiny involved in his 10-for too,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin, who is all but certain to be a part of India's squad for the assignment, said that he is hopeful of ticking the box this time around.
"I would like to go to South Africa and win a series there, we haven't done that before, and hopefully we can do it this time," he said.
(Star Sports inputs)
