WI vs IND 2023: It’s not been an easy journey – Ravichandran Aswhin after 33rd five-wicket haul

India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin admitted it has not been an easy journey for him after another terrific performance. Ashwin returned with figures of 5-60 and played a key role in skittling out West Indies for 150 after Kraigg Brathwaite decided to bat first.

Ashwin was once again right on the money and bagged his 33rd five-wicket haul in Test matches. The off-spinner accounted for WI opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and became the first Indian bowler to dismiss father-son pair in Test matches. Ashwin also joined the elite club of Ian Botham, Wasim Akram, Mitchell Starc, and Simon Harmer, who have all done the same.

Ashwin reflected on his career and also shared his disappointment when he was left out of the World Test Championship final’s playing XI against Australia. The veteran said he was mentally ready to play but he was also mentally ready for his omission and wanted to keep the dressing room’s atmosphere warm.

“I’ve spoken about it. It’s very tough as a cricketer when you have a WTC final and end up sitting out,” Ashwin said. “All that is fine. But what is the difference between me and another person if I also end up sulking in the dressing room. When we went to the WTC final, I was mentally prepared to play. I had prepared physically and mentally, planned for the game, everything. But, I was also prepared to not play the game.

“If I’m not playing, how do I respond? How do I make sure the dressing room is really up and about. Winning the WTC final is the most important thing, it could be a very high point in my career and I would have played a good role in it. It was just unfortunate, it didn’t pan out. The first day just left us too much behind in the shed. All I’d like to give to my teammates and Indian cricket as a whole is some understanding and my best efforts on the field and I’d like to leave it at that.”

Ashwin accounted for Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Kraigg Brathwaite, Alzarri Joseph, and Jomel Warrican. The talisman added there was bounce in the surface and they were able to make the most of it.

“There was some bounce from the wicket, especially from the pavilion end. The wicket had some slope also which gave us bounce. But we utilised the first session very well. The wicket had some moisture and it was coming off it very well. As you saw, they showed a graphic that it was turning more [in the second session], but the turn was very slow. But in the first session, there was bounce, and pace off was good, there was bite. We utilised it very well. The way [Jermaine] Blackwood got out just before Lunch, the momentum shifted completely to us. I also thought, Jaiswal and Rohit batted very well to give us a very dominant day on Day 1,” Ashwin said.

Indian openers – Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal – added a fine alliance of 80 runs. Ergo, India is in a dominating position at the draw of stumps on the opening day.