“I did not imagine that we would play Tests again with what was happening around us.”
The leader in land grabbers, crucial races with Cheteshwar Pujara, an economy rate of less than two throughout the Test. That was R Ashwin the last time India played in Adelaide. However, there were doubts as to whether he should be the spinner to represent India in Adelaide this time around, especially since at the end of the last tour his coach had openly said that Kuldeep Yadav was his first choice at home trials.
One would expect old Ashwin to follow up on his four to put India in a dominant position in the Test with an equally aggressive verbal display in the press at the end of the day, but he is a different man now. This has been an extremely difficult year for everyone, and Ashwin says he is thankful to be back in the park and wants to enjoy every minute he spends in it. The competitor on the field is still there, but he does not feel like a fight off the field.
“I am very happy that we are playing test cricket again,” Ashwin said at the end of the second day. “I did not imagine at some point that we would play test cricket again with what was happening around us. For me, being extremely angry about the sport and continuing to work hard even during the confinement, it felt so refreshing to go there and drink A bowl. The feeling was great. Pink-ball Test and all that. It felt amazing to be out there. I felt like I was making my debut again. I enjoyed my bowling. “
Much has been said about the styles of the two offspinners in this event, Ashwin and Nathan Lyon, especially the rebound Lyon gets and how it works in Australia. “I think every spinner is different,” Ashwin said. “I think sometimes things can get out of context when you make comparisons to how one approaches his craft compared to the other. Even on this test, Nathan and I bow very differently. We are both bowlers. very different bowling.
“For me it’s about trying to turn things around and make it difficult for the batter to defend and also score at the same time. Sometimes when you play just four bowls, especially away from home, my job is just to keep one finish and rotate fast pitchers. on the other end and also go for the grounds if I get enough assist or the early grounds. It’s extremely important to me to make it as difficult as possible for the hitter to defend. “
2:04
R Ashwin: ‘It felt refreshing to go out and have a bowl’
Ashwin was irritable for a moment when asked if he considered trying to play a bit like Lyon in Australia or Moeen Ali in England. “Sometimes I feel these comparisons and the way we look at things is skewed,” Ashwin said. “Nobody asks hitters to go watch Smith hit and repeat it all the time when we’re touring Australia. Nobody asks them to hit like Alastair Cook or Joe Root when they play. I think we’re all aware that everyone fights. to a cat differently.
“There is no end to what you can learn, you can always learn all the good things, how they go about their business, what fields they set, the pace of the game. I have always kept this, especially when playing outside of India, the passages of the game. they should go your way as roulette because you are doing twin work and against the conditions. As for me, I watch carefully to see if I can learn and also prepare thoroughly for the hitters and put in a serious effort. How people perceive it and how they compare it to them. “
Even when asked if this was the best he had ever played on the road, Ashwin said he didn’t want to compare, but also made a point of saying that he has been pretty good on the road for the past two years. “Look in the last two years if people don’t reflect on a couple of not-so-good situations or matches, if you can call it that, I’ve had pretty decent outings every time I went out to play abroad for the last 18 months or so “Ashwin said. “And things can get out of context. I’ve put those things behind me and I just want to enjoy my job and have as much fun as possible. I don’t want to sit around and think if it’s for the best” or not. For me there is an entry ahead and I’m looking forward to the full series. It’s a great opportunity for me to play the game that I love. “
The whole series is a turning point because he has started three of his last four tours magnificently only to be marked by injury. His numbers in the first test of the series are much better than the following. Correcting that is your next challenge on this tour.
Sidharth Monga is assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
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