Ravichandran Ashwin, one of the sharpest thinkers in the world of cricket, feels he has reached a stage in his career where he doesn’t care about judging his own performance after every game. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on many people, the wily off-spinner believes the past two years have been good for him with continued success in Tests at home and a productive tour of Australia, where India has made history. by winning back-to-back series. The 35-year-old, who has taken 442 wickets in 86 Tests, also made a comeback as a white ball after four years, taking part in the T20 World Cup in the UAE last year.
However, he is resting from the T20 home series against South Africa later this month and will join the squad in the UK for the ‘fifth’ Test of the last series against England.
“If you want a realistic answer, I don’t judge my performance at all. I’m not at that stage of my life where I think about what happened there and what happened here. Like I told you, I live it through the day .
“The last two years have been tough for a lot of people, but it’s been really kind and good for me. So I’m just enjoying my game. I don’t know if it’s clear enough on the ground or not. I’m in all the way in a very good spirit,” Ashwin told PTI at the launch of Voot Select’s “Bandon Mein Tha Dum.”
Ashwin, who has just completed the two-month IPL, will next be seen on India’s England tour in June-July, when the rescheduled fifth Test will be completed with the visitors leading 2-1.
However, the champion spinner is looking forward to spending his much-needed vacation at home after five months of living without suitcases.
“Honestly, I’m pretty blank now. We’ve had a long international season, so I’m not even thinking about that in my head. I’ve been in bubbles forever, only got home after five months. I hit the pause button and live every day and take it as it comes.” With COVID-19 on the wane, cricket boards around the world are moving towards organizing series without mentally straining the bio bubbles. Ashwin can only be happy about that.
“Absolutely. We need to look at the bigger picture. If we can overcome the pandemic and things get back to normal, we should all be happy.” Heading into Australia’s historic triumph in January 2021, Ashwin contributed both bat and ball. Ashwin suffered severe back cramps on day four of the Sydney Test, but showed up on day five and slammed alongside Hanuma Vihari as they both consumed 128 balls to achieve a draw that felt like a win.
Ashwin remembered that collaboration fondly. He was ruled out of the final Test as injury-ridden India struggled to field an eleven for the game.
“The other game I played, the one that was injured, was in Southampton (2018) and it didn’t go well for us. Again in Sydney, day four of the game I had a severe back cramp. wasn’t sure if I could actually get through the game but somehow wanted to.
“I prayed for a little bit of luck, that I would have less pain the next morning, that the painkillers were working and all that, I was quietly praying.
“Somehow I got through day four, took a few wickets, bowled non-stop spells even though it was hard. Tougher than what Southampton (2018 England Test) was but I think a lot of it too it was fate.
“One of those series where there was a lot of effort and that one percent happiness for each individual,” said the eloquent spinner.
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Ashwin made his test debut in 2011, saying it would be difficult to achieve what the team Down Under could achieve.
“Easily one of the best series I’ve been part of. Even now, when you talk about it, that feeling comes back, all those good memories, all those difficult phases we went through, the euphoria after the win, everything remains , even until now,” he added. PTI BS KHS KHS
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