New Delhi, September 24: Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared a lighthearted conversation he had with skipper Rohit Sharma during the Chennai Test against Bangladesh. Ashwin, who played a pivotal role in India’s 280-run win on September 22, once again showcased his exceptional talent with both bat and ball.
At 38 years old, Ashwin continues to earn praise for his consistency and match-winning performances, even as Indian cricket increasingly focuses on younger players.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin recounted a humorous anecdote about how his wife, Preethi Narayanan, brought up the topic of age while watching highlights from the Duleep Trophy. This led Ashwin to have a playful conversation with Rohit about growing older. Both senior members of the Indian team have shrugged off any concerns about their age and continue to perform at crucial moments for the team.
Ashwin shared, "We were watching some highlights the other day, and my wife said something funny: 'These off-spinners bowling at you must be cursing you in their heads.' I was surprised and asked why. She said they might be thinking, ‘When will this guy leave and give us a break?’ Suddenly, I felt a bit strange, realizing that I’m at that stage now. When we were younger, we used to think about securing our place in the team. Now, looking back, it makes me realize how long I’ve been playing."
He continued, "I saw a graphic on the official broadcast channel showing players' ages, and it ended at 38. I was the only one in that category. Then I saw Rohit passing by, so I asked, 'When’s your birthday?' He told me it’s coming soon. I’m looking forward to it because we’ll be the same age for a little while!"
During the Chennai Test, Ashwin not only scored his sixth Test century but also took six wickets, earning him the Player of the Match award. This marked his second consecutive Player of the Match accolade in Chennai, following a similar achievement in 2021.
Remarkably, Ashwin is now second only to Ian Botham in the feat of scoring a century and taking five wickets in a single Test match, having done so four times. His prowess in the fourth innings of matches has solidified his status as one of India's finest bowlers, recently surpassing Anil Kumble’s record with 99 wickets in the fourth innings, compared to Kumble's 94.
Ashwin’s contribution was key in helping India take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series against Bangladesh, further cementing his indispensable role in India’s bowling attack.
