Ravichandran Ashwin Reflects on Career in Emotional Interview

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s premier Test cricketers, shared insights about his cricketing journey and experiences in an emotional interview following India’s emphatic 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai. Speaking on JioCinema, Ashwin reflected on the skepticism he encountered early in his career as he transitioned from a successful Indian Premier League (IPL) bowler to becoming a key figure in Test cricket.

“I came to replace Harbhajan Singh,” Ashwin stated, acknowledging the challenge of stepping into the shoes of his idol, a revered off-spinner for India. Despite the initial doubts from critics regarding his capability to excel in Test cricket, Ashwin’s record speaks for itself. With 101 Tests and 522 wickets to his name, he has convincingly silenced the naysayers. “I used to replicate his action in junior cricket; he was an inspiration to me,” Ashwin admitted.

In the recent match against Bangladesh, Ashwin showcased his dual prowess by taking seven wickets and scoring a century, an achievement that earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ accolade. Reflecting on his batting, Ashwin mentioned that although bowling remains his primary focus, he has worked on simplifying his batting approach. “I make a living by bowling, so bowling comes first,” he said, adding that compartmentalizing the two facets of the game has helped him maintain balance.

Ashwin continued, “I am probably enjoying my play because of what I am doing, not because of what I want to get out of it.” This attitude was evident as he celebrated his special century in Chennai, a venue where he has deep-rooted connections, having watched numerous Tests from the stands in his formative years.

In the match, Bangladesh elected to field first, and despite India’s top-order struggles, Ashwin, alongside Ravindra Jadeja, led a remarkable recovery with a 199-run partnership to post a competitive first innings score. India’s bowlers then dismantled Bangladesh for 149 runs, establishing a significant lead.

In the second innings, centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant solidified India’s position, setting a daunting target of 515 for Bangladesh. Despite a resilient effort from Bangladesh, Ashwin and Jadeja combined effectively to bowl them out for 228, securing the victory for India. Ashwin finished the match with figures of 6/88 while contributing crucial runs with the bat.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s all-round contributions continue to be instrumental in maintaining India’s dominance in Test cricket. His reflections on handling skepticism and adapting his game underscore the culmination of hard work and perseverance in a distinguished career.