Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made it clear that individual milestones are no longer a priority for him as he continues his illustrious Test career. With 527 Test wickets under his belt, Ashwin is just 92 wickets away from breaking Anil Kumble’s Indian record of 619 wickets. However, the 38-year-old is more focused on helping India win matches than on chasing records.
In a candid conversation on Jio Cinema after India’s thumping series 2-0 win over Bangladesh, Ashwin emphasized that his passion for the game is driven by his desire to keep contributing to the team, even though he is uncertain about how long this drive will last.
“I don’t know. I think if you have miles in your legs and you can run really well. Look, it’s a day-to-day thing. Like I said, the joy of walking out there and going to a net and having that enthusiasm to be able to try and practice something is what drives me,” Ashwin shared.
“As of now, that fire is still burning, but I don’t know how long it will last. I don’t want to think about it and play just one Test at a time and one day at a time and enjoy this.”
Ashwin recently had an impressive series against Bangladesh, where he picked up 11 wickets and scored a crucial century in the first Test. His all-round performance earned him the Player of the Series award, further showing his value to the Indian side.
When asked about the potential competition for a spot with fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja, especially during the upcoming Australia tour, Ashwin dismissed the notion of rivalry. Instead, he expressed full support for Jadeja, stating that he is ready to step aside if the team management feels Jadeja is the better option.
“It’s very simple for me. If he plays, I’ll back him all day, all night. I have to. I have repeated this again and again. It doesn’t cross my head anymore at all (competing with Jadeja). If he is the one that has to play, he is the one that has to play, and I have complete faith, and I’ve got his back when he goes out there to play,” Ashwin remarked.
Team India is set to face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series starting on October 6, followed by a three-match Test series against New Zealand, beginning on October 16. As Ashwin continues to play a key role in India’s success, he remains focused on contributing one match at a time, leaving personal milestones as an afterthought.
