 "Ashwin 'most pleased’ with nine-wicket haul in Dharamsala, says 'experimenting and learning' has helped him")
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin rated his match-winning five-for in Dharamsala as his standout spell in the five-Test series against England, which India ended up winning by a 4-1 scoreline following their innings and 64-run victory on Saturday.
Ashwin accounted for the English top three after starting off with the new ball in hand to inflict a body blow to the Ben Stokes-led side’s hopes of mounting a comeback for the ages after conceding a 259-run first innings lead. The 37-year-old would then get rid of the two ‘Bens’ — captain Stokes and wicketkeeper Foakes — on either side of the lunch interval to complete his 36th Test five-for in his 100th appearance.
In the process, he went past legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble to become the Indian with most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.
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Speaking to broadcasters Sports18 following India’s clinical victory at Dharamsala’s picturesque HPCA Stadium, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner said he was “most pleased” with this performance as well as his spell in the second innings of the Ranchi Test, in which he also collected a five-for to help India mount a heroic comeback and pull off a thrilling victory.
“Feeling very happy. I can’t really put a wrap around how I feel right now. Lots of well wishes before the 10oth Test. Throughout the series I have gone to different actions, speeds and releases. India is a different, each ground has a challenge. I was really happy with the way the ball came out, most pleased with this performance and the second innings in Ranchi. In India sometimes the beauty is what’s gone by,” Ashwin told the broadcasters after the conclusion of India’s final series of the 2023-24 home season.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAshwin had earlier become only the second Indian bowler after Kumble and the ninth overall to enter the 500-wicket club in Test cricket after dismissing Zak Crawley during the third Test in Rajkot. His success, especially in Tests taking place in the subcontinent not only comes down to his mastery of the spin-friendly conditions in this part of the world but also his ability to reinvent himself and stay open to trying new things, including firing an occasional leg-spinner.
“I have kept my ears and eyes open to listen to good feedback. Unless I try I will never be able to learn. If I am confident that I can try something I don’t hold back.
“I feel times have rolled along. With the number of footages and video analysis going around, people can easily line you up and study you. Not saying sticking to one method won’t work. Thankfully experimenting and learning has helped me,” Ashwin added during his chat with the broadcasters.
Ashwin was also effusive in his praise for left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who had collected a five-for in the first innings and was later named the Player of the Match.
“The way the ball is coming out of Kuldeep’s hands is unbelievable. Watch a wrist spinner in such flow and the kind of switches he has been able to make through the series and over the last 10 months is so heartening to see. I can’t be more happy for somebody,” Ashwin added.
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