With two centuries to boost his 97 wickets in 17 Test matches, R Ashwin is seriously staking his claim at the all-rounder tag. His second ton, in particular, was a testimony of the fact that the off-spinner started his cricket career as an opening batsman.
The knock came when India were staring down the barrel with 156 for 6, chasing West Indies’ 234 in the first-innings and build a match-winning 280-run partnership with Rohit Sharma. In the end, India sealed the match by an innings and 51 runs with two full days to spare.
Satisfied by his effort, Ashwin said he was pleased to come to the team’s rescue in a tough hour. “The last time I got a hundred I had nothing to think about, I was just enjoying myself,” he said, referring to his century in Mumbai against West Indies in the 2011.
“But this time it was quite different. We were in a lot of trouble and we could have lost the game from that situation. I just thought I’d stick it out and see how much difference there could be. I just tried to put on a partnership and hung in there,” he said.
Ashwin went to stumps on Day-two unbeaten on 92 but denied any suggestion of overnight nervousness. “I slept really well,” he said. “I thought, ‘ok, it's just a number’. I had been there before – I finished on 91 not out the last time I played in Kolkata (against England).
“This time I had a good batsman at the other end so knew I could probably complete my century. I was very pleased with what I did yesterday and probably a little more pleased today that I got a century,” said the offie.
Ashwin was all praise for his batting partner during the epic stand and the debutant who went on to score 177. “Personally I’m a very big fan of Rohit,” he said, before explaining his experience of batting with him.
“He’s always batted very high in the batting order and I never got a chance to bat with him. This was his Test debut and I just went out there and I hoped I could build a good partnership with him. We enjoyed our time out together. It’s very important to communicate with each other and we had a great time.”
Ashwin was also pleased for India’s other debutant, Mohammad Shami. He was said Shami’s ability to get the reverse swing made him lethal and thus reduced the workload of the spinners.
“I thought he bowled really well. He was getting the ball to reverse pretty late. As a spinner, half your job is done if your seamer gets through the tail and gets a few wickets in between. I thought he bowled with some good pace as well.
“Although it’s tough to play the reversing ball, if you get too excited and start bowling fuller, it becomes easier for the batsman to pick it. What Shami did with (Marlon) Samuels and a few other batsmen was brilliant. He hit the deck hard and got to move the ball off the seam as well,” Ashwin explained.
Ashwin also credited Shami for India wrapping up the match in three days. “Honestly, we didn’t think they were going to fold up today. But as things panned out, we got a couple of wickets in the beginning and early wicket after tea. Then it just opened up and Shami bowled a brilliant spell to bring it to a close.”
Despite the comprehensive win in Kolkata, Ashwin was wary of the West Indians ahead of the Mumbai Test. “They definitely had us in a spot of bother on the second morning. So it was a bit of a reality check in terms of where we need to be as the series unfolds and how to catch up and hold it up in Mumbai,” he said.
The second and final Test of the series begins November 14 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and it will be the last time that Sachin Tendulkar will don the Indian jersey. Ashwin said it will be a very emotional moment for the man and his beloved game.
“In the past, I watched him bat and my stomach cramped up when he got out lbw. I think every Indian youngster in India who’s loved the game has gone through that. Being in the dressing room has definitely been different to watching him play on the telly. It’s definitely going to be emotional for him,” Ashwin said.
