Chennai
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was one of the key architects of India’s series-opener win over Bangladesh, said he comes to the field with a bowler’s mindset and can bat naturally. The veteran player said he is trying to master both aspects of the game and carry it along.
Ashwin scored 113 runs in the first innings of this match played on his home ground and along with Ravindra Jadeja (86) shared a 199-run partnership for the seventh wicket to bail India out of trouble and then took six wickets in the second innings to ensure an easy win for the team. After setting Bangladesh a target of 515 runs to win, India bowled them out for 234 and registered a huge 280-run win.
Ashwin told the official broadcasters after the match, “My identity is bowling, so bowling comes first for me. Although batting is natural for me, in the last few years I have thought a lot about my batting.” Ashwin, who was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round game, said, “Apart from getting a grip in both these aspects, I am trying to move forward together.”
The 38-year-old equalled the great Shane Warne by taking five wickets for the 37th time in a Test innings. He said, “I am enjoying my game by doing what I am doing without thinking about what I want to do.” He said, “This (century innings) was an opportunity for me to fight and spend time for a long time. I have seen my teammates dealing with such situations many times in the past. It was a very special innings.”
This performance was even more special because he did it on his home ground. He said, ‘Whenever I play in Chennai, it is a wonderful feeling. I have watched many matches from the stands of this ground. The feeling of doing well on this ground is special.’
