Galle brings back a lot of good memories for me, says Ashwin
INDIA OFFIE Ravichandran Ashwin is glad to be back in the squad ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, starting July 26.
India had previously visited Sri Lanka in 2015 for a three-match Test series and emerged victorious in it by 2-1. In the first Test of 2015 series, Ashwin joined spin legends Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh to become the third Indian bowler to pick 10 wickets in a single Test match. Speaking on a Facebook Live on Indian Cricket Team’s Facebook handle, Ashwin said,
“Coming to the place where I did really well last time in 2015 is like a dream come true because I was making a comeback in the Test side at that point and I got a ten-for. It brings back a lot of memories coming back to the same venue. 50th Test is definitely something that’s come about. I am not able to go back and re-trace it but very grateful for reaching here and every Test match is a blessing for me.”
The BCCI appointed Ravi Shastri as India’s head coach and the Sri Lanka tour will be his first assignment in the new role. When asked about his views on the appointment of the chief coach, Ashwin conceded that Shastri will bring a lot of positives to the Indian side.
“The decision has been made and the decision is definitely something on which I can’t comment on. Ravi bhai has been a fabulous person in the dressing room. Last time, he was here in Galle and we lost the Test and he really picked all of us from that low point in our careers and he is someone who can have a positive influence in the dressing room. We are looking forward to working together. I would say yes because the amount of pressure that is put on not only within the team but outside, external factor and this is an excellent Indian team. If you see teams around the world, the players do get an extended run. The youngsters get extended run to play than in India and that’s simply because we do have some excellent cricketers sitting outside as well.”
Although Ashwin has four Test tons to his name, the Chennai-lad believes that he has the ability to offer a lot more with the willow.
“I have achieved reasonably well with the bat. I do set high benchmarks for myself, I would like to say that I’m low on my average. I started with 42-43 but it came down to 32-33. I could have done a lot better with the tennis elbow issues. It did pull me down as a Test batsman but yes the graph is back up there and I am batting pretty well.”
Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.
