Numbers Are Part Of Journey, Not Final Destination: Veteran Spinner R Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, with a tally of 442 Test wickets, recently became 8th highest overall wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket.

R Ashwin, Pic Courtesy: BCCI / AFP

New Delhi: Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently became the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket, said he never runs after numbers and considers personal achievements a part of his journey and not the final destination, PTI reported.

In the recently-concluded India vs Sri Lanka Test series, Ashwin bagged 12 wickets at an average of 15.08. The spinner surpassed Kapil Dev's tally of 434 wickets to become India's 2nd highest wicket-taker in Tests.

By doing so, Ashwin, with a tally of 442 Test wickets, became 8th highest overall wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket.

“The numbers are great, and it’s humbling really to see what I’ve been able to do in terms of the numbers. The more I’ve played, the more it felt like the numbers are a part of the journey rather than the destination,” Ashwin said in a release as per PTI.

“In the past 2-3 years especially, the feeling has been great, with series’ wins in Australia, comeback into the T20 team, it almost feels like how I felt when I first broke into the team, wherein a lot has been going on for me.”

The 35-year-old spinner, who will be seen in action in IPL while playing for Rajasthan Royals, said the T20 tournament helped him develop into a better cricketer.

“The IPL is a tough tournament, there are a lot of variables leading into every season which can have an impact. Dew, pitches, the opposition, you name it and there’s a variable that can impact a game in different ways – which makes it a challenge to prepare for things in advance and you’ve got to be ready at all times,” Ashwin said in a release issued by RR.

“However, for me, personally, going into an IPL season is always exciting. The IPL gives a window of experimentation, something which has enabled me to come out a richer cricketer, irrespective of the results, every time I’ve been a part of it.”

(With PTI Inputs)