Debasis Sen, Kingston(Jamaica): India’s front line spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was surprised to see West Indies deciding to bat first on the first day Sabina Park wicket which looked to have some juice. The hosts were bundled out for a paltry total of 196 runs just at the stroke of tea. Ashwin returned with a haul of five wickets in the first innings. It was also his 18th career best five wicket haul in test cricket.This was also Ashwin’s fifth five-wicket haul against the West Indies. The off-spinner later came for the post day’s press conference.
According to Ashwin, most of his dismissals were due to the subtle variation in speeds rather than spin which many would have thought. “Yes, I think speed variation was important as most of the dismissals were brought about by difference in speeds rather than much of spin, actually. It was initially damp and there was some turn, but after that it flattened out a bit and started going straight. This ball, once it gets older, it becomes easier to bat. There’s a lot more time. I think it was more about bounce and speed variation that created the problem.”
Ashwin went on to become the first spinner in the history of test cricket to take the most number of wickets after 33 test matches. It was also his 18th five wicket haul in tests. Speaking on his success, Ashwin said, “Everybody wants to start playing cricket one day to achieve what nobody else could achieve. I am happy to be there, at some stage of my career where I am better than everybody else who has played the game. It feels nice, but the only thing that is constant is trying to improve from wherever you are. I think change is very, very important. This is good, but tomorrow is a different day and you have to keep improving.”
The off spinner heaped praises on Rahul for the way he batted so far in the test match. According to Ashwin, “He’s a fine player. We all know that he’s a quality cricketer. He’s made a lot of runs in First-Class cricket. He has pretty much arrived at this level.” He went on adding, “Earlier, when he made hundreds for us, it has been crucial knocks. He made one in Sri Lanka which is very memorable. As a matter of fact, the way he played in the IPL, it’s just an extension. Everybody wants Rahul to do well, which is a big tick for him.”
The off-spinner has given Rahul the nickname ‘batting machine’ , as he keeps batting all the time and it’s not a surprise that he’s made runs and I’m very happy for him.
On being asked how he carries on the good form at the start of the test match, he said, “I don’t want to read too much into that fact. It’s obviously put the team in a great position and a first day five wicket haul is something you should cherish. But I think I’ve done it a few times before and I’m pretty pleased at having achieved it again.”
Speaking on his dual role in the team, Ashwin commented, “In the past, and also from experiences and other people talking from the commentary box and the media people talking, there’s one thing that’s very clear in my career, that if you get wickets, it just makes your job easier to make runs. Especially if you’re batting lower down the order. And vice-versa, if you make runs it just pulls a little bit pressure off you and you go out there and you enjoy your bowling and you take wickets. But, as of now, where I stand, I’ve got both my departments clearly demarked. I know what fetches results in which departments. Maybe the methodologies could differ, and it might work or might not, but I’ve definitely have kept it demarked so that I have process goal, and if I stick to it I have a better chance at succeeding.”
He admitted that he was surprised to see the Windies deciding to bat first after winning the toss. “I was pretty surprised that they won the toss and batted first today. Like Virat mentioned at the toss, there was a bit in it, it was a bit sticky. Maybe I would’ve batted as well. But with their strengths, I thought it was a bit surprising. They lost three wickets up front.”
Lastly, Ashwin warned his team-mates about not getting complacent as, “This game has a lot of uncertainties. We just saw one when Sri Lanka pulled it off against Australia. And they did the same against us in Galle, so we can’t be lacklustre with that; we will have to keep doing our process properly.”