Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has stated that he is not focused on milestones regarding his Test career. The experienced cricketer expressed that while he remains motivated to help India win matches, he is uncertain about how long that drive will last.
During the home series against England earlier this year, the 38-year-old surpassed 500 Test wickets and currently stands at 527, 92 short of India’s record-holder Anil Kumble, who took 619 wickets in 132 Tests.
In an interview on Jio Cinema, Ashwin, who received the Player of the Series Award for his all-round performance against Bangladesh, mentioned that he is approaching each Test one at a time. He said:
“I don’t know. I think if you have miles in your legs and you can run really well. Look I think, it’s a day-to-day thing. Like I said, the joy of walking out there and going to a net and have that enthusiasm to be able to try and practice something is what drives me.”
“As of now, that fire is still burning but I don’t know how long will it last. I don’t want to think about it and play just one Test at a time and one day at a time and enjoy this.”
The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer had an impressive series against Bangladesh, taking 11 wickets. He also scored a crucial century on Day 1 of the first Test.
“It doesn’t even cross my mind anymore” – Ravichandran Ashwin on competing with Ravindra Jadeja
Ashwin dismissed the idea that he will be competing for a place with Ravindra Jadeja on the upcoming Australia tour, stating that he would willingly step aside if necessary. The off-spinner added:
“It’s very simple for me. If he plays, I’ll back him all day, all night. I have to. I have repeated this again and again. It doesn’t cross my head any more at all (competing with Jadeja). If he is the one that has to play, he is the one that has to play, and I have complete faith, and I’ve got his back when he goes out there to play.”
Team India is set to face New Zealand in a three-Test series starting October 16.
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