Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin. Credits: BCCI
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Indian captain Virat Kohli lauded the performance of ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the recently concluded second Test match against England in Chennai, which India won by 317 runs to draw level 1-1 in the four-match series.
Ravi Ashwin was named the Player of the Match for his exemplary performance as he picked up 8 wickets in the match and scored a sublime century in India’s second innings, helping his team set a humongous 482-run target for England to chase.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s batting had dipped after 2016 and his overseas credentials had been questioned. However, the seasoned Indian team performer stormed back to peak form in Australia, playing a major role in helping the team beat Australia 2-1 in Australia.
Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin. Credits: BCCI
His gritty knock in the Sydney Test match on the tour was lauded by everyone, as he batted for almost four hours with Hanuma Vihari to fend off the Australian bowling attack to earn a draw.
Hope You Keep Continuing To Be In This Happy Space, Virat Kohli To Ravichandran Ashwin
Virat Kohli had added a hard-fought 96 runs with Ravichandran Ashwin for the seventh wicket in the second innings of the Test, as India looked to build on the 195-run lead they had gotten. Kohli made 62, but Ashwin went on to make his 5th Test century, eventually falling for 106 runs with 14 fours and 1 six.
Ravichandran Ashwin And Virat Kohli Credits: Twitter
“I hope you keep continuing to be in this happy space that you are. We are loving to have you in this space and seeing you perform on the field in this way. Two more matches to go, hopefully, you continue to do well and keep putting in strong performances and keep doing well for the team,” Kohli said while lauding Ashwin for his performance.
Changed My Mindset Of Trying To Prove Other Wrong Worked For Me, Says Ravichandran Ashwin
“I think the whole pandemic thing… During which we shut off and locked ourselves down, I was thinking about what is going to happen. if you take the game away from me, I am literally lost. Even if I am not playing some formats for the country, I am putting the TV on and watching. I was reflecting on things, trying to understand what I can learn from people and what they perceive of me,” Ashwin said.
Ravichandran Ashwin is also nearing the 400 Test wickets milestone and will hope to reach it by the time the England Test series ends. There are two Test matches still to go, both of which will be played in Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, with the third Test match being a day-night affair.
“In the past when I was on tours, there was that desperation in trying to prove others wrong. But this time, when I went out there, it was proving to myself what I am capable of,” Ravichandran Ashwin signed off.
Also Read: Ben Stokes Does Not Have Any Plan To Counter Ravichandran Ashwin: Gautam Gambhir
