Ravi Shastri has been a positive influence in the dressing room: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin is about to feature in his 50th Test match on Wednesday. The tall off-spinner has come a long way from being a limited overs specialist to one of the better Test bowlers India has ever had. It hasn’t been an easy ride for the Tamil Nadu cricketer as he struggled during the Australian tour in 2014 during which he was dropped from the side.

‘Ravi Shastri has been a fabulous person to have’

Ravi Shastri will embark his journey as the head coach on this tour of Sri Lanka. He was the team director during India’s tour of the Island in 2015 in which India came from behind to win the series 2-1. Ashwin was quick to point out how Shastri lifted the unit after the embarrassing defeat in the first Test at Galle.

“I saw that question coming (smiles). We are past that moment, the decision has been made and the decision is not something that I can really comment on. But Ravi bhai has been a fabulous person to have in the dressing room. The last time we were here and we lost the Test in Galle, he was the one who picked us up from that low point of our careers. He is someone who can have a really positive influence in the dressing room. We are looking forward to working together,” he said.

Ashwin was glad to be back in Sri Lanka, a place where he did exceptionally well in 2015. He was making a comeback to the side and ended up being the Man of the Series after capturing 21 wickets from 3 Tests. The first Test on Wednesday will be Ashwin’s 50th of his career.

“50th Test is definitely something that has come about. I am not able to go back and retrace how I did it. I am very grateful to have gotten here. I think every Test match is a blessing from here on. To come back where I did really well last time round (in 2015) is like a dream come true. It was a momentous occasion for me back then as I was on my way back into the Test side and I got a six-for on the first day and went on to get a 10-for on the fourth day, no, third day I think. It brings back a lot of good memories.”

‘Achieved the goals set 2 years ago’

In 2015, Virat Kohli captained in the Test arena for the first time as a full-time captain. He had a young team which has now developed into a skillful unit and has won 12 out of their last 16 Test matches. Ashwin highlighted the fact and outlined his, Jadeja’s and Pujara’s contributions in the last 24 months.

“In 2015, I think we were sandwiched in the middle of a leadership takeover between MS (Dhoni) and Virat (Kohli). Virat had just taken over in Australia and we came here after having played one Test in Bangladesh. Ravi (Shastri) had set a lot of goals for each other and I will say we have achieved it and come out with flying colours over the last couple of years as a group, as a team. Some young guys have come in and put their hands up and some of the other guys have excelled really well including Jadeja, me, Puji (Cheteshwar Pujara). He has made a sort of a comeback because I don’t think Puji was a part of the Test match we played here, but he came off in the third Test and played exceedingly well. We have kind of become a very good unit,” he said.

Ashwin recounts his favorite wickets in Tests

Since making his Test debut in 2011, Ashwin has been the premier spinner in India’s Test side. In 49 Tests, the off-spinner has 275 sticks at 25.22. He has so far recorded 25 five-wicket haul and is behind Anil Kumble as far as the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian is concerned. When asked about his favorite dismissal, Ashwin was quick to point out four instances which gave him immense satisfaction.

Getting Sangakarra in the second Test on the last tour, AB de Villiers in Nagpur. Can’t think from the top of my head right now, but probably Shaun Marsh in the second innings in Sydney. David Warner in Bangalore. There have been quite a few good balls that I have bowled.”