Kanpur: Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that he has lived through expectations for a while now and he has reached a stage in his career where he’s learned to not pay attention to outside noises.
The veteran off-spinner delivered an impressive spell of 3/82 on day three of the first Test against New Zealand on the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. In the first innings, the off-spinner picked up the three wickets of Will Young, Kyle Jamieson and William Somerville and bowled at an economy rate of 1.90 in 42.3 overs. Ashwin has faced backlash quite a few times due to his on-field antics, but having played for a significant amount of time, he became one of the crucial asset of the team.
“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,” Ashwin told Star Sports before the start of play on Day 4.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 5/62 other than Ashwin. The duo’s effort helped India take a 49-run first-innings lead by bowling New Zealand out for 296.
“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 also became the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket in the calendar year year. The Indian off-spinner surpassed Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to do so, with 41 wickets to his name.
“I thought it was a wonderful effort. Sometimes it is easier said than done. I cannot be saying cliched things. I have lived through expectations for a while now. For me
Cricket is purpose of my life. I am at that stage where I am shutting the outside noise better than I have ever done,” he added.
India grabbed a 49-run lead for their effort as left-arm spinner Axar Patel (5/62), snapped five wickets while Umesh Yadav (1/50), Ravichandran Ashwin (3/82) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/57) scalped one wicket each. With Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal on the crease standing firm India reached Stumps at 14/1, leading New Zealand by 63 runs on Day 3 of the ongoing series opener in Kanpur.
