After scoring his fifth Test century on Monday, R. Ashwin felt that a return to basics had helped him rediscover his batting form, the first signs of which were evident in his match-saving Sydney epic.
“I'm someone who tries hard. When it doesn't go my way, I try harder. A lot of my batting was about me internally thinking about what was happening with the crease, the set-up, the technique and all that sort of stuff. Whereas my batting was more about hands, getting through the ball and sort of thinking tactically rather than thinking technically,” said Ashwin.
Sydney set the tone
“[Batting coach] Vikram Rathour came in and Ajinkya [Rahane] played a crucial role in terms of telling me that I’m overthinking it and have to just get it done. All those things played a massive role but that innings Sydney really set the tone for me,” he added.
On his partnership with Virat Kohli in the second innings, Ashwin said, “Virat was playing well and I was looking to support him. I just wanted to go out there and carry out the plans I had practised before the game. I played with a bit of a counter-attacking streak, as once I got in I understood what can be done.”
The wily spinner, who picked up eight wickets in the match, said it was the mind-games with the batsmen that did the trick more than the deliveries that spun sharply.
“I thought the balls that were doing much weren't getting wickets. It was more the balls that followed it and we had to play on the minds of the batsmen to get those wickets,” he said.
The cricketer from Chennai also felt that it was the most special of his four Tests at home.
A ‘hero feeling’
“As a youngster, I have wondered whether I would play here at Chepauk and would people clap for me. But this is easily the most special Test match for me at home. I had a hero feeling. Every time I came on to bowl or removed my cap, it was a different feeling.
“During COVID times, the crowd turned out in large numbers and supported us. I will dedicate this win to the Chennai crowd.”