Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is no longer chasing individual milestones as he continues his decorated Test career. With 527 wickets in Test cricket, Ashwin stands just 92 wickets shy of surpassing Anil Kumble’s Indian record of 619. But the 38-year-old says his focus now is solely on helping India win matches rather than on personal achievements.
Following India’s dominant 2-0 series win over Bangladesh, Ashwin opened up about his motivations during a candid conversation on Jio Cinema. He emphasized that his love for the game and desire to contribute to the team keep him going, even though he’s unsure how long that drive will last.
“I think it’s a day-to-day thing,” Ashwin said. “The joy of walking out there and going to a net, having that enthusiasm to practice, is what drives me. As of now, the fire is still burning, but I don’t know how long it will last. I just want to take it one Test at a time and enjoy it.”
Ashwin’s recent performance against Bangladesh highlighted his continued value to the Indian side. He took 11 wickets across the two-match series and scored a vital century in the first Test, earning him the Player of the Series award.
Despite the potential competition with fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, particularly during India’s upcoming tour of Australia, Ashwin expressed his unwavering support for his teammate. He reiterated that he is more than willing to step aside if the team management prefers Jadeja in the playing XI.
“It’s very simple for me. If he plays, I’ll back him all day, all night,” Ashwin said. “If he’s the one that has to play, then I have full faith in him, and I’ve got his back when he goes out there to play.”
Team India is set to take on Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series starting October 6, followed by a three-match Test series against New Zealand from October 16. While Ashwin remains a central figure in India’s plans, his focus is on contributing to the team’s success, with personal milestones left in the background.
