For those who have been following the cricketing world closely, Ravichandran Ashwin standing tall with the match ball in hand is a sight that has grown astonishingly familiar. Achieving this milestone for the 37th time in his remarkable career during India’s recent encounter, Ashwin’s prowess once again underscored an aura of inevitability that surrounds his presence on the field. When Ashwin took to bowling slightly past 10:30 AM, many in the stands and many more at home were already assured of the impending spectacle.
As with great cricketers across history, there is a palpable sense of certainty that comes attached to their performances. This is evident as batters signal their impending dominance with confident early shots and bowlers with their first few overs. Ashwin, however, manages to exude this air of certainty even before he embarks on a spell. This is something ardent fans and cricket planners have come to expect over his stellar 13-year career. Particularly on days like the fourth morning of the Chennai Test, when the pitch betrayed hints of consistent and challenging turn, the outcome seemed almost preordained.
Intriguingly, Ashwin was not even brought into the bowling attack until after the first drinks break of the day. Yet, his presence was unmistakably felt on the field as he actively engaged in discussions with captain Rohit Sharma and his fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja, offering tactical insights and lively gesticulations regarding field placements. It was as though the first hour, marked by a gritty stand by Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan, was merely setting the stage for the Ashwin show that was to follow.
And indeed, when Ashwin did come on to bowl, it took him merely four deliveries to make his impact felt. Through a tactically astute positioning of the short-leg fielder slightly out of the left-hander’s direct line of sight, Ashwin commenced tightening the screws on Bangladesh. It was an all-too-familiar scene for those who have followed his career. Shakib Al Hasan, in an attempt to defend, found his forward movement falling short against the ball’s bounce. The ball was directed to the inside half of his bat, ricocheted onto his pad, and lobbed gently to the strategically placed fielder.
This ingenuity was not a one-off incident. Just the previous day, another left-hander, Mominul Haque, found himself bowled in similar fashion. Deceived by Ashwin’s delivery, which drifted inward before dropping and spinning past his defense to rattle the stumps, Haque’s dismissal was a testament to the spinner’s consistent mastery over his craft.
These instances highlight a remarkable yet cryptic reality within cricket: even in an era where every possible data point is meticulously logged and analyzed, some phenomena remain inscrutable. Ashwin’s bowling is a prime example. Over 13 years, teams have watched, analyzed, and strategized against him, yet many continue to grapple with how to counter his skill set effectively.
For the Indian cricket team, this familiarity and reliability are invaluable, especially as they embark on a crucial 10-Test season aimed at securing another World Test Championship (WTC) final spot.
. While various segments of the team undergo transitions, Ashwin’s consistent feats offer a comforting anchor, a dependable resource they can rely upon time and again.
However, this consistency does not come without its demands. At 38 years of age, Ashwin faces questions regarding his longevity and potential swansong. The physical demands of Test cricket are grueling, and navigating them over an extended period requires prudent management. It’s not just about hopping from one match venue to another, such as from Chennai to Kanpur and then Bengaluru, but about maintaining peak performance amid a packed schedule.
Reflecting on the arduous season ahead, Ashwin said, “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. 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, like the ever-changing world outside it, remains in a constant state of flux, marked by new challenges, surprises, and setbacks every week. Teams must adapt with fresh visions and changing personnel. Amid this relentless pace of change, Ashwin’s enduring brilliance and the comforting predictability of his performances offer a nostalgic yet essential anchor. In moments like these, it becomes evident why certain established habits carry an alluring charm, seamlessly blending old comforts with new aspirations.