In a remarkable scene that has become increasingly familiar over the last 13 years, Ravichandran Ashwin stood tall on the cricket field with the match ball in hand – for the 37th time, if anyone has lost count. At 10.00 AM, there was an air of inevitability hanging over the stadium, much before Ashwin even started his first spell shortly after 10.30.
Great cricketers often possess an aura of predictability around their performances; it’s almost as though you can sense a century or a five-wicket haul before it happens. For batters, early confidence shots act as harbingers of impending dominance. Bowlers, similarly, might set the tone within their first couple of overs. However, Ashwin seems to radiate this energy even before getting into his rhythm, a testament to the aura he has cultivated over his illustrious career.
Over the years, fans and players alike have modified travel plans knowing that Ashwin would be bowling in the fourth innings. As was evident during the fourth morning of the Chennai Test, the pitch offering consistent and sharp turns. Ashwin was held back till after the drinks break in the first session, yet his influence on the field was unmistakable.
Throughout a painstaking partnership between Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and the seasoned Shakib Al Hasan, there was Ashwin, incessantly sharing suggestions with Rohit Sharma or discussing field placements with Ravindra Jadeja, even if neither was involved in the current over. The first hour felt like a mere prologue to the Ashwin show, a teaser before he spun his web around the opposition.
When his time finally came, Ashwin took just four deliveries to make a significant impact. With astute planning and field placement, he began exerting control, particularly targeting Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib’s attempt to defend a turning ball ended with an inside edge onto his pads, gently lobbed towards the strategically positioned short-leg fielder. This mode of dismissal was so characteristic of Ashwin that spectators could visualize it readily.
A similar fate befell another left-hander, Mominul Haque, the previous afternoon. Haque misjudged a delivery angled into him, leading to a slow and deceiving spin past his bat to crash into the stumps. These moments highlight the nuanced skill and intelligence Ashwin brings to the game, even if cricketing data and analytics strive to decode every possible element of the sport.
After 13 years of witnessing Ashwin’s wizardry, opposition teams still struggle to find answers. For the Indian team, there’s a comforting familiarity in Ashwin’s performances – a muscle memory in celebratory high-fives, an instinctive gathering around the star spinner.
. Especially right now, as India heads into a challenging 10-Test season, aiming for another spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final amidst a transition phase, Ashwin’s consistent excellence is a priceless asset.
However, this doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing for Ashwin. At 38, with whispers about his swansong becoming frequent, sustaining peak performance is increasingly demanding. Reflecting on the long season ahead, Ashwin acknowledged, “It is a long season. But sometimes when you look so far ahead, it can be quite deflating. You are playing like 3-4 months of cricket and you are playing 10 Test matches. A lot of Test matches.”
He added, “So, sometimes you can’t think like that. You have to stack it up. I did put in a bit of work getting into it. I know I need to have some reserves in the tank. So, I have tried to build it up. We will have to see. There are good breaks between games. Hopefully, we will get small windows for me to keep ironing it out. More than skill, I think it is about physically being able and pliable to be able to go through the season which is of utmost importance for me right now.”
Cricket, much like the world beyond the boundary lines, is in a state of perpetual change, filled with chaotic and unforeseen developments. New disruptions, surprises, and thrills arrive each week. Teams are forced to adapt with fresh visions and evolving personnel. Yet, it’s days like these, moments offered by Ashwin, that remind everyone why certain old routines and familiar faces hold such alluring appeal.
In summary, Ravichandran Ashwin’s stature in the sport is a blend of predictable brilliance and the steadfastness of comforting tradition, sealing his place as a cornerstone of Indian cricket’s success.