Ashwin reveals he played through injury in the first half of IPL 2024

Ravichandran Ashwin was all smiles after the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He bagged the Player of the Match award on the back of a stellar bowling performance (4-0-19-2). But not too long ago, the tournament was shaping up to be a nightmare for the veteran spinner.

Across the first nine games of the season, Ashwin picked just two wickets, averaging 157.5. He also did not keep the runs down, going at nine runs per over. 

For more than half the season, the 37-year-old looked like a shadow of his usual self, and there were even calls for him to be dropped from Rajasthan’s starting XI. 

Ashwin’s uncharacteristic drop in form was puzzling and inexplicable, but the off-spinner revealed after the RCB clash that he was severely hampered by an abdomen injury in the first half of the season.

“In the first half, I felt my body wasn't moving too well for the first half of the season. I had an abdomen injury as well. I am aging as well,” Ashwin said at the post-match presentation. 

“To come into the tournament from Test cricket was difficult, I needed some time to get that bowling rhythm. But once you have committed to your franchise, you want to go through with the season.”

Ashwin described his campaign as a ‘season of two halves’. It’s an accurate assessment: the veteran picked two wickets at 157.5 a piece in the first nine games of the season, but the last five matches have seen him bowl like the champion bowler he is, taking seven wickets at an average of 15.6 and an economy of 6.8. 

Against RCB, after Boult’s near-perfect spell in the powerplay (1/6 off 3), Ashwin’s stupendous spell — which saw him dismiss both Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green — ensured RR derailed RCB’s innings and restricted them to an under-par score.

“It's been a tournament of two halves for me. First half into the tournament I was struggling coming from the Test series with injuries. Last few games I feel I am bowling really well,” Ashwin said.

Despite restricting RCB to 172, RR’s chase was far from straightforward. The Royals kept tumbling and eventually only crawled over the line, getting to the target with only six balls to spare despite there being plenty of dew. 

Ashwin reckoned that the win would do a world of good to RR’s confidence, even though the victory was far from comprehensive.

“We haven't done very well in the last few games. We didn't put par scores and we lost Buttler, and Hetmyer was injured. Today's win was important. We were a bit rusty chasing it, but this win will give us some confidence,” the 37-year-old said.

The victory against RCB was RR”s first win in May, but they are now two wins away from lifting the trophy for the first time since 2008. Jos Buttler’s absence might have hamstrung the side, but Ashwin believes that, with Hetmyer regaining fitness and others hitting good form, RR are well placed to make that final push for the title.

“I think our greatest strength is the exuberance of youth and the experience we have got to support that,” Ashwin said.

“Now that Hettie is back in, and Rovman got a few boundaries today as well. We've got Keshav sitting outside. We have the right momentum for this team going forward.”

RR next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on May 24 (Friday) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

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