Ravichandran Ashwin's father reveals how son turned from a medium pacer to an off-spinner

Ravichandran Ashwin took his 500th wicket in Test cricket during the second day of the third Test between India and England which is being played at the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. He became the ninth bowler to achieve this feat and only the second Indian after Anil Kumble to take 500 wickets in Test cricket. England opener Zak Crawley became his 500th victim and it was a wonderful moment for the veteran off-spinner.

Ravichandran Ashwin credited his father after the end of the day’s play when he was asked about his milestone. However, his father made an interesting revelation about him. Ashwin’s father said that it was his mother who suggested Ashwin to bowl spin. Ravichandran Ashwin started as a medium pacer but then turned into an off-spinner following his mother’s advice. The offspinner’s father also said that Ashwin is not someone who gets excited by numbers.

“The biggest turning point in Ashwin’s career was when he switched to bowling off-spin. And I must thank my wife Chitra for that decision. Those days Ashwin had wheezing and he also had an issue with his knee. So to do all the running (he started as a medium pacer) was proving to be a challenge. It was Chitra who said, ‘Why should you run so much? Just take a few steps and bowl spin’,” Ravichandran, Ashwin’s father, wrote for The Indian Express.

“Speaking to him, I don’t get the feeling that 500 wickets meant the world to him. Of course, it is a huge milestone, but it isn’t everything. It is an achievement, yes, but it is not a number that overly excites him,” Ravichandran wrote.

Ravichandran Ashwin has left the third Test in between

Ravichandran Ashwin rushed to Chennai leaving the third Test in between due to a family emergency and won’t take further part in this Test match. India posted 445 in the first innings laying back on centuries by skipper Rohit Sharma who scored 131 and local hero Ravindra Jadeja who smashed 112. Debutants Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel were also impressive as they scored 62 and 46 respectively on their debut.

England has lost half of their team under 275 and now to take the lead over this total will be a big task for them. The five-match Test series between India and England is currently leveled 1-1 and the third Test is a good opportunity for both sides to take a lead in this series. India lost the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs and then won the second Test in Vizag by 106 runs.

The hosts have not lost a Test series at home since 2012 and have won 16 consecutive series since 2012 at home. They last lost a Test series at home back in 2012 against England who defeated India 2-1 in the four-match series. India is looking to continue their winning streak at home by defeating the England team in the ongoing series.