Debasis Sen, Galle: Ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has hailed the appointment of Ravi Shastri as the Coach of the Indian team. The off-spinner who will be playing his 50th test match at Galle, starting on Wednesday has heaped praises on Shastri.
“We well past that moment. the decision has beeen made and the decision is definitely something on which I can’t comment on. Ravi bhai has been fabulous person in the dressing room. Last time, he was here in Galle and we lost the Test and he really picked all of us from that low point on our careers and he is someone who can have a positive influence in the dressing room. We are looking forward to working together,” said Ashwin while talking to the reporters at the sidelines of Galle International Cricket Stadium.
The No. 3 ranked spinner in ICC Test rankings is excited about playing his 50th test match at Galle. It was at the same venue where he got a 10 fer in the first test match during the 2015 series.
“Coming to the place where I did really well last time in 2015 is like a dream come true because I was making a comeback in the Test side at that point and I got a ten-for. It brings back a lot of memories coming back to the same venue. 50th Test is definitely something that’s come about. I am not able to go back and re-trace it but very grateful for reaching here and every Test match is a blessing for me,” said Ashwin.
Talking about his targets, the off-spinner insisted that he is eyeing one match at a time.
According to Ashwin, “Looking behind, I might have set some targets but I don’t think I will be setting targets looking ahead because that’s what the past has taught me. You can’t get ahead of yourself. The most important thing is to try and get better every single day because international cricket is really cruel and it can make you sit back if you are sitting back on your past. It’s very important to go ahead and try and take one Test match at once.”
On being asked about some of his special moments from his career, Ashwin was quick to reply that getting the award of cricketer of the year last year something he would cherish.
“Being a cricketer of the year last year was an icing on the cake The 4-0 triumph over England. England were a far better side than what the research showed. It was kind of a boxing game every time we came out to play England. It was a very closely fought series. We won some of the tight moments. The final Test against Australia in Bangalore. It was the fourth day when we won the match after trailing 0-1 at Pune,” said Ashwin.