R Ashwin Reveals How Sachin Tendulkar Motivated Him In 2011 World Cup

Ravichandran Ashwin did not get many games in the 2011 World Cup as veteran Harbhajan Singh was the first choice for the team. But after the last 50-over World Cup in India, R Ashwin cemented his place through his brilliance and was preferred over his senior teammate.

Ashwin continued to excel across formats and contributed for the team to the fore. Apart from his variations he displayed brilliant mental ability. But there were moments when even Ashwin failed to be in the pink of his mental health and needed some motivation. One such moment came during the 2011 World Cup when Sachin Tendulkar walked up to him and motivated him.

R Ashwin: Sachin Tendulkar came up to me and said you’re bowling really well

Sachin Tendulkar is the legend of the game and in the dressing room. He was highly looked up to by the fellow Indian cricketers. A few words from the master blaster helped Ashwin regain his confidence during the 2011 World Cup.

R Ashwin revealed while he was bowling at the nets Tendulkar walked up to him and told him to bowl in similar manner when he gets a game as he was bowling really well.

“Sachin came up to me and said, you’re bowling really well in the nets, bowl like this when you get your game as well,” Ashwin told WV Raman in a Star Sports new series ‘Mind Masters by MFORE.

Ashwin has been in and out of the team currently. Majorly losing his spot to the wrist spinning duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. During India’s tour of New Zealand, Aswhin had got only one game during the Test series. He, however, has contributed to the fore for the national team.