“Bowling comes first”: R Ashwin speaks after superb all-round display in Bangladesh Test

One of if not India’s best performer in the Bangladesh Test in Chennai, Ravichandran Ashwin says he approaches the game with a bowler’s mindset and batting comes to him naturally, adding that he is learning to compartmentalize the 2 aspects of the game.

Ashwin dished out a match-winning all-round performance with a century and a 6-wicket haul to help India thrash Bangladesh by 280 runs in the first Test of the 2-match series.

“I make a living by bowling, so bowling comes first. Batting is something that comes naturally but I have focused my thoughts with batting. Over the last few years,” Ashwin said in the post-match presentation.

“I have tried to compartmentalize. It is a work in progress,” Ashwin added.

The 38-year-old said he is enjoying the experience of playing cricket, rather than focusing on the achievements.

“I am probably enjoying my play because of what I am doing not because of what I want to get out of it,” Ashwin said.

“It (the century) was an opportunity to fight, dig in deep. I’ve seen so many teammates do it in the past. It was a special innings, didn’t sink in till day 2,” Ashwin added.

The match-winning performance was even more special for Ashwin as it came at his home ground, at Chepauk.

“Every time I play in Chennai, it’s an amazing feeling. I’ve watched a lot of Tests, international cricket in those stands, to do it in front of those renovated stands is great,” Ashwin said.

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