‘I am at a stage where I am shutting the outside noise better than I have ever done’ : R Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
India all-rounder Ravi Ashwin has revealed that he has learned to live through heavy expectations. Ashwin once again gave a good account of himself as he took three wickets on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test match against New Zealand.
New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Will Young got the team off to a good start. India had to play the waiting game but once they managed to get an opening, Ashwin and Axar Patel ran through the Kiwi team. The home team bundled the visitors for 296. Speaking on India’s bowling performance, Ashwin said everyone played their role perfectly.
“Look, I thought we stuck together really well as a bowling unit. 130-140 overs on that sort of pitch and going less than 2.5 runs per over, it was always going to be hard work and we were prepared for that. Everyone played their role perfectly. I felt the new ball was an easier time to bat in terms of scoring runs but we got wickets with the second new ball,” Ashwin told host broadcaster Star Sports before the start of play on day four.
Ashwin, a seasoned campaigner knows there are humungous expectations from him to do well in every game. The off-spinner though says he has learnt to live with it and has done well. “I thought it was a wonderful effort. Sometimes it is easier said than done. I cannot be saying clichéd things. I have lived through expectations for a while now, for me, cricket is the purpose of my life. I am at this stage where I am shutting the outside noise better than I have ever done,” he added.
