Tuesday, December 24, 2024
News

Ravichandran Ashwin identifies series which set him on path to excel as a bowler

   SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend    Print this Page   COMMENT

New Delhi | December 23, 2024 11:42:19 PM IST
Former India seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin turned back the clock to England's 2012 tour to India and selected it as the series which set him on the path to excel as a bowler.

The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia had ended in a draw. Moments later, under the gloomy sky of Brisbane, Ashwin left fans heavy-hearted and emotional with his sudden decision to retire from international cricket last week.

Ashwin's career, which spanned over a decade, saw him redefine the traditional norm of off-spin bowling across all formats. As years passed since his debut in Indian colours, Ashwin reinvented himself and his game to succeed at the biggest stage of the cricket world.

Days after retirement, Ashwin took a trip down memory lane to recall his illustrious career. While recalling some of the groundbreaking moments of his career, Ashwin stumbled upon the second Test in Mumbai between India and England.

The iconic Wankhede turned out to be a stadium where Ashwin came across his flaws after recording figures of 2-145. He was knocked around the Wankhede Stadium by England's batting legend Kevin Pietersen, who top-scored in the match with 186.

The bashing that Pietersen offered to the Indian bowling unit lifted England to a 10-wicket victory to level the series. England eventually went on to make history with a 2-1 series win, but for Ashwin, the series turned out to be an eye-opener.

"I have one regret in life. I know KP is a very proud man, I've seen him talk a lot about how he took us down in Mumbai. Very early in my career, in the formative years, things on the technical side that went wrong put me on the path of excellence," Ashwin said on Sky Sports Cricket podcast.

"I wanted to take on KP every single time after that. He's a wonderful batter, but anyone that didn't have a really sound defence was someone I fancied because I'm very good at picking up players who step out, players who sweep," he added.

When Ashwin lined up to face the likes of Pietersen and Alastair Cook, he came across a technical flaw in his bowling action, which hindered him from finding the right length.

The revelation that Ashwin came across about his own game set him on a path of finding different solutions and excelling as a bowler.

"In that particular series against KP and Alastair Cook, one of the finest batters I've bowled to, my alignments were so bad. My left leg was going so far out that I wasn't able to get my length right at all," he said.

"For the rest of my career, ever since 2012, it was all about finding different solutions. I'm very grateful for the series going that way because if it hadn't happened, I might not have set myself on the path to excel as a bowler because to excel as a bowler it's very internal rather than external," he added. (ANI)

 
  LATEST COMMENTS ()
POST YOUR COMMENT
Comments Not Available
 
POST YOUR COMMENT
 
 
TRENDING TOPICS
 
 
CITY NEWS
MORE CITIES
 
 
 
MORE SPORTS NEWS
What sets Dhoni apart as captain from ot...
Defending champions Puneri Paltan close ...
Allan Donald expresses concern on fast b...
England announces squad for upcoming Wom...
Cheteshwar Pujara lauds Mitchell Starc, ...
Head coach Rob Walter confident South Af...
More...
 
INDIA WORLD ASIA
'KTR targeted after CM's Delhi visit': B...
'Shyam Benegal Ji's storytelling had a p...
'Teachings of Christ celebrate love, har...
DMK's Elangovan slams Amit Shah's remark...
Telangana Cyber Security Bureau arrests ...
Fire breaks out at pressure cooker godow...
More...    
 
 Top Stories
Pakistan govt agrees to consult PTI... 
Vehicles stuck, tourists stranded a... 
Maha Kumbh 2025: UP CM Yogi inspect... 
Concerned by sentencing of Pakistan... 
Man dies after being attacked by bu... 
21-year-old killed, another injured... 
President Murmu, VP Dhankhar, and L... 
Fire breaks out at pressure cooker ...