'There were talks of me getting dropped': R Ashwin reveals the 'turning point' that shaped his illustrious career before his monumental 100th Test
Renowned India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin candidly shares insights into the pivotal moment that transformed his career, particularly during the 2012 Test series against England. As he approaches his 100th Test match, the 37-year-old reflects on the numerous peaks and valleys that have characterized his enduring journey within India's red-ball cricket for over a decade. Recently marking a significant milestone with his 500th Test wicket in the third match of the ongoing series, Ashwin's resilience and consistency continue to define his legacy.
Scheduled to play his 100th Test in Dharamsala, Ashwin stands as the 14th Indian cricketer to achieve this remarkable feat. The seasoned spinner enters the momentous match with heightened morale, having delivered an impressive five-wicket haul in the previous encounter at Ranchi.
Harking back to his Test debut in 2011, Ashwin faced substantial criticism for his subpar performance during the 2012 Test series against England – a series that witnessed India's last home soil defeat in the longest format. Despite claiming 14 wickets in four Tests, his average was a concerning 52.64, and he proved expensive against the formidable batting duo of Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen. Conceding 737 runs in four tests, with the best figures of 3/80, Ashwin acknowledges that this series was a pivotal turning point in his career. The discussions around his potential exclusion fueled his determination to introspect and enhance his skills.
In a press conference leading up to the fifth Test in Dharamsala, Ashwin remarked, "That series vs England at home, where Cook and Pietersen scored runs, can well be the turning point for me. There were talks of me getting dropped. It was a wonderful lesson for me to improve say 5%. I knew what I had to correct. Since then, it was addressing downs."
Despite the setbacks, Ashwin credits this challenging period as a valuable learning experience that spurred his continuous improvement. He emphasized the need to address shortcomings and embrace adversity to evolve as a cricketer.
Recalling another standout moment from his career, Ashwin highlighted his exceptional performance against England in Birmingham during the 2018 tour, considering it one of his finest spells in Test cricket where he claimed seven wickets.
As he anticipates playing in Dharamsala, a place where he participated in under-19 cricket 21 years ago, Ashwin acknowledges the potential challenges posed by the cold weather. He recognizes that as a finger spinner, adapting to the chilly conditions will require additional time, emphasizing the beauty of the unknown in the ever-evolving game of cricket.