Published 16:59 IST, October 24th 2019
Ashwin on playing ODI and T20I for India again: 'My hopes are alive'
Ravichandran Ashwin has said that he is fit and bowling well. He also mentioned that he still believes he can prolong his career in limited-overs cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin finally managed to get all the games in the recently concluded Test series against South Africa where India had registered a clean sweep without breaking a sweat. This was also the first time that the veteran off-spinner had played Test cricket or international cricket for that matter since December 2018. However, Ashwin is no longer considered for the limited-overs format since 2017 after the emergence of two of the finest wrist spinners in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Now, Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up about his fitness after a successful home series.
Ashwin: 'Fit, confident and hopeful'
While speaking to a daily newspaper, Ravichandran Ashwin asserted reporters that he is fit and that the ball is coming out from his hand like a "dream". The veteran spinner added that he is not thinking about it too technically. The 2011 World Cup winner also mentioned that he has always focussed on off-spin and has got 80 to 90% of wickets with it. He further added that he had some very good batting form too at county cricket but lately has not received too many opportunities to play for India.
Ashwin on his limited-overs career
It has been over two years since Ashwin has featured in an ODI or a T20I for India. However, he still reckons that he will get chances in white-ball cricket. The 33-year-old reportedly said he considers himself "one of the best spinners in T20 cricket" and added that he had a very good IPL last season. Talking about the age factor, the ace spinner said, he does not think that age is a factor and referred to Imran Tahir, who is one of the finest spinners in world cricket is 40 years old. The Champions Trophy-winning player concluded by saying that he has the variety and the experience and that his hopes are alive.
In the last series against South Africa, Ashwin had finished as the leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps to his name. He also became the joint-fastest alongside spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan to take 350 Test wickets. Ashwin will next be seen in action against Bangladesh in the two-match Test series starting from14 November.
Updated 18:14 IST, October 24th 2019