'Accidental spinner' Ashwin quite satisfied with where he's in life

India’s day might not have many positives today after they were Bazballed on a Rajkot batting dream. Still, there was one silver lining in a gloomy skyline — Ravichandran Ashwin had finally picked his 500th Test wicket. Hence, it was only fitting that Indian team management sent him to address the press on the team’s behalf. 

Understandably, Ashwin was quite sedate but satisfied in his responses about his achievements when asked to talk about them. He was also quite introspective, trying to look at how far he has come in his life after starting his journey as an “accidental spinner.”

Look, it's been a very long journey. I don't exactly know where to begin because I was an accidental spinner," Ashwin said during the press conference. 

"I wanted to be a batter all along. Life gave me a chance, and when I walked into the CSK dressing room, Muthiah Muralidaran didn't want to bowl with the new ball, and eventually, I got tossed the new ball. I had a reasonable first-class start to my life. My first-class career was pretty good, but nevertheless, the stage in the IPL made me visible to many people, and I eventually got my Test debut. 

“People doubted whether I could be a Test bowler, and yeah, 10-13 years later, not bad. Not a bad achievement, so I'm pretty glad."

When asked about his journey in detail, Ashwin remarked how he has always been a late bloomer. Even in his Test career, it was only after the initial few years and a lot of tinkering with his primary bowling action that he attained his current avatar, where he started picking up wickets for fun. 

“…when I started off-spin, I was 17-18. Man, I didn't have a choice. Like if I was 18 and I started off-spin, I couldn't have made it here by 21. So, I mean, maybe a year or two here and there. 

“But life, it takes its own course, right? When I started playing Test cricket, I was probably ready to play red-ball cricket, but not a finished product. Like every other spinner, you do gain, you do learn. I had a second tour to Australia. There was a lot to learn from on that tour. I understood actions. I understood bowling mechanics. I understood my bowling inside out over the years. 

“There is still a constant urge to learn to get better. I might just turn up tomorrow morning and try something new. And that's what I've learned from over the years. And it's also the love for the craft and love I have for trying to excel at what I do,” Ashwin said in his long, winding reply. 

Stats roundup : Ashwin becomes the second-fastest bowler to 500 Test wickets

He was also quite candid in his responses to questions about his action changes and how there has been a perception of him as an overthinking and over-intellectualising bowler. Ashwin quite nonchalantly dismissed them, remarking that after such a long career, he has earned his position today. 

“Because I started my spin bowling late, I don't attach my bowling quality to one particular action or method. So I've always had to use new techniques and methods to be able to gain that extra advantage, if I may so. So that's probably why I've constantly, you know, nurdled the eyes of a lot of senior cricketers who feel that I just try too much. But nevertheless, I'm 37. I can comfortably say I can talk about somebody else now."

Despite Ashwin’s achievement, the second day of this Test was headlined by Ben Duckett’s spectacular century, where he scored a hundred within a single session. Ashwin rued the opportunity of not having to bowl at him earlier, as Rohit introduced him quite late after the first ten overs. 

“I would've loved to bowl at Ben Duckett when he was on zero and not on at 60-70 runs,” Ashwin added. 

However, Ashwin felt that the track would keep getting better for batting as it’s the “usual, typical Rajkot track.” 

“It’s the usual, typical Rajkot wicket. And it will keep getting slower. The deviation you're seeing, the one that is turning, is going at a really slow clip. So yeah, I think the way the game is going, if the cracks don't open up, I think the wicket will continue to stay pretty good for batting."

Despite this and the fact that England have scored at almost run a ball or above throughout their innings, Ashwin was rather positive about his and his team’s chances for a comeback. 

“We played four and a half sessions. If they want to get it done in two, so be it. Whether it's being challenged is how you want to look at it, and honestly, I don't think it's flustering much of us. And even if you saw, I don't know how it looks from the outside, but the guys were still pretty relaxed when it was 200 for 2. You know, in a session, there is a chance of four or five wickets that could come your way and change the game."

Amidst all this, when asked about the obvious milestone of crossing 619 Test wickets and becoming India’s highest wicket-taker, Ashwin just wanted to live in the moment and not change what has worked. 

“The very simple answer is no. It's 120 wickets away, man. Like I said, every day is what I want to live for. And you know I'm 37 years old. I don't know what's in store next or what's in store in the next two months. You play this series, and then what lies ahead? You really don't know. So, I mean, I don't want to really jump the gun. I have kept it this way for the last 4-5 years, and it's been very simple. And it's worked for me. Why change anything that's working for you?" he said.