Ravichandran Ashwin, Steve Smith
Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli [Photo-Twitter]

Indian captain, Virat Kohli has lauded Ravichandran Ashwin after the off-spinner return with a highly successful tour to Australia. R Ashwin picked 12 wickets in 3 matches – dismissing Steve Smith thrice – as India return winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the consecutive time on Australian shores.

Virat Kohli left after the first Test in Adelaide to attend the birth of his child; India lost the first Test but came back strongly winning the second Test in Melbourne. Ajinkya Rahane notched up a memorable ton while Ashwin bagged 5 wickets in the game, including that of Smith for a duck.

R Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin (Image Credit: Twitter)

Kohli reveals that he sent a text to the off-spinner after the Melbourne Test saying that this was the best he has seen Ashwin bowl overseas. The right-hander lauds Ashwin’s intent even while batting.

“Well, he is one of the most vital parts of this team. After Melbourne, I sent him a text that this is the best I have seen you bowl overseas ever.

“I remember we had a conversation in Adelaide as well, I said not many people remember these small moments, in the first innings where Saha and Ash came out not out, Ash’s intent was something that stood out for me,” Virat Kohli told Star Sports.

Had a conversation with Ashwin about his batting: Virat Kohli

After scoring 4 hundreds, R Ashwin’s batting has fallen off a cliff. Virat Kohli says that he and the coaching staff has had chats with the off-spinner about the importance of his batting to the team. Virat Kohli reckons that conversation lit up a fire in Ashwin to prove himself as a potent batsman once again.

Read More  RCB Playing 11 vs KKR- IPL 2024, Match 10
Ravichandran Ashwin, South Africa Vs India, Leg-spin, Jolly Rovers, VAP, Trophy, Chennai, Virat Kohli
Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli. Photo Credit: BCCI.

And Ashwin did showcase the improvement in his batting when the 34-year-old was involved in a 256-ball partnership with Hanuma Vihari in Sydney on the fifth day to save the Test match for India.

“He had a conversation with us in the nets about his batting. We both said ‘you have so much more to provide for this team with the bat. That was one of your strengths. When we looked at you, we always felt like 30-35 guaranteed every innings.

“If he gets going, he will score a crucial 70-80′. So, suddenly you saw his body language. It was like ‘Hold on, this is my time, my tour now with the bat and with the ball,” added the Indian skipper.

R Ashwin, who missed the Brisbane Test due to a back injury returns to the Indian side for the home series against England, so does Virat Kohli.

Also Read: IPL 2021 Auction: After Being Snubbed 13 Times, Mushfiqur Rahim Decides Against Registering For Upcoming Mini-Auction