R Ashwin said failure to deliver for his team in the past hit his pride and hoped his three- wicket haul on day one was enough to keep India afloat in the second Test against South Africa here on Saturday.
On a day when the seamers failed to make much of a dent on a easy-paced wicket, Ashwin took 3-90 as the hosts finished day one at 269 for 6 at stumps.
"I like to think I have kept us in the game. It could have so easily been a game where they could have run away with it after the second session. I like to believe I was just dogged enough," Ashwin said after the day's play. "I play (only) Test cricket now and I get a lot of break in between. So might as well be ready when I get an opportunity. So, there is no reason to unfasten the seat belt, you are always on," he said, about his preparation for the tour, after not featuring for India in limited-overs' cricket since July.
Ashwin had been subject to a lot of criticism in the past on account of his overseas record. He had gone wicket-less in the Johannesburg Test in 2013, as India had failed to win from an advantageous position on day five.
"It was a reality check in terms of not being able to win a Test match for the country on day five when all things were actually set up for a spinner. It was kind of hit on my professional pride and from there on I knew I had to work on certain things," he said.
"Obviously when you don't take wickets you don't get bull headed and believe things will get better from next time. I am not made that way atleast," said Ashwin, about his previous tour here.
Ashwin said he worked on his bowling and hoped to emerge as a better bowler after this series.
"I worked on making my action a lot more repeatable and I worked on the wrist position at time of release. I also added a few things up my repertoire and used my wrist a lot more when I bowl," he said.
"I used my palm more when I bowl the flipper, etc. Obviously these things have combined over the last few years and I have had a great time over the last 2-3 years.
"I am just taking the confidence forward and I am trying to get better as the day goes and by the end of this series I will be a far better bowler than what I started," he added.
Ashwin said that he had moved on and improved his bowling to be able to make a difference this time around.
Additionally, he credited his county stint with Worcestershire. "The one thing I have comfortably done is to conveniently forget the history about South Africa. I am well over it and I want to put it behind me and stride ahead forward," he said. "I think my experience of going to England and playing helped because this has been a sort of wicket which you get there especially where I played, at pretty flat. One ball jumps occasionally and goes flat for a pretty long time. My first-class teammates would advice that I have to develop a lot of patience and was definitely a reality check for me."