My body is ageing, I lost about 7-8 kgs in the lockdown: Ravi Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin, the Indian off-spinner, has mentioned how he has been dealing with his body, being into his mid-30s. On Thursday, February 25, he became the second-fastest bowler after Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan to accomplish the 400-wicket milestone in Test cricket. Even as Murali achieved the feat in 72 games, the Tamil Nadu-born Ashwin took 77 matches.

Ashwin stated that he managed to shed quite a bit of weight in the lockdown period during the COVID-19 pandemic. The veteran said that he’s been upbeat since the tour of Australia where he picked up 12 wickets from three games before missing out on the Brisbane Test. Ashwin still believes that his bowling has room for improvement going into the future.

I won’t be surprised if I improve further in the future: Ravi Ashwin

“I worked very hard on my fitness during the lockdown to get the body ready for the next 3-4 years. This body is ageing. I lost about 7-8 kgs in the lockdown and everything looked upwards for me since the Australia tour,” Ashwin was quoted as saying after the match.

“People are asking the same question. In 2015-16 everyone asked me (if I’m bowling at my best), in 2016-17 as well. One thing is sure I’ve always wanted to improve. I won’t be surprised if I improve further in the future,” he added.

Ashwin was over the moon after he dismissed Jofra Archer in the second innings of the third Test against England to take his 400th Test wicket. “It feels amazing actually (to reach 400 Test wickets). The entire stadium stood up and clapped for me. Pleased it happened in the winning cause,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin performed to the extent that Indian skipper Virat Kohli went on to hail him as a ‘modern-day legend’ in the purest format of the game. “I think we need to stand up and take notice of what Ashwin has done. In Tests, he is a modern-day legend,” Kohli mentioned.

Ashwin is currently the leading wicket-taker in the four-match series with 24 scalps from three games at an average of 15.70. He is also the third-highest run-scorer of the series with a century in the second Test at the Chepauk.