Ashwin shares insights on reinventing himself for the Ranchi Test

After a quiet start in the first three Tests of the India vs England series, Ravichandran Ashwin has rediscovered his form. Despite struggling in the initial seven innings, the esteemed off-spinner staged a remarkable comeback, clinching a magnificent and potentially match-winning 5-wicket haul.

Following his standout performance on day three of the Ranchi Test, Ashwin candidly discussed his challenges and the adjustments he had to make to regain his bowling prowess. Speaking with JioCinema after the day’s play concluded, the spinner revealed:

“I had to rethink my approach to the game. Typically, I rely on a top-spin delivery, aiming for the ball to bite into the pitch upon impact. However, in the eastern part of the country, I found that the pitches lacked the desired bite, with bounce levels barely reaching shin height. To generate the necessary side-spin, I had to adapt my strategy, focusing on driving the ball into the pitch during my initial spell. Subsequently, with the older ball, I noticed an increase in purchases from the other end. It required a mental shift on my part.”

Reflecting on his success with the new ball and the impact of receiving it for the first time in the India vs England Test series, Ravichandran Ashwin remarked:

“I relish the opportunity to bowl with the new ball, and today, when Rohit (Sharma) suggested that either Jadeja or I could start, I eagerly volunteered. The new ball seems to have a special connection with me; I find joy in bowling with slightly more pace.”

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Ravichandran Ashwin equals Anil Kumble’s Record for Most Test Five-Wicket Hauls by an Indian

Player	5-Wicket Hauls	Matches
Muttiah Muralitharan	67	133
Shane Warne	37	145
Richard Hadlee	36	86
R Ashwin	35	99
Anil Kumble	35	132

Ashwin surpassed Anil Kumble in the rankings of Indian bowlers with the most wickets in home Test matches, reaching a total of 354 wickets with his recent 5-wicket haul. This tally stands 5 wickets higher than Kumble’s record in home Tests.

Despite facing scrutiny for his inconsistency in the initial three tests of the series, Ashwin let his performance on the field speak volumes. Even after 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir’s impressive 5-wicket haul in the first innings of the Ranchi Test, Ashwin maintained his composure and focus.

Throughout the first three tests, Ashwin encountered an uncharacteristically challenging phase. With just 12 wickets across four matches, his series average soared to 38.83, a departure from his usual dominance. Additionally, his economy rate of approximately 4.05 indicated some unsettlement caused by the England batters.

Dinesh Karthik, the seasoned India wicket-keeper batter, didn’t shy away from addressing Ashwin’s below-par performance in the series. Speaking before Day 3 of the Ranchi Test, Karthik candidly pointed out Ashwin’s struggle, a sentiment echoed by many cricket enthusiasts. He highlighted that despite their relative inexperience in Indian conditions, the English spinners had outshone their Indian counterparts, including Ashwin.