'Test Cricket is the pinnacle' - Ravichandran Ashwin reflects on essence of Test cricket ahead of crucial New Zealand series

Team India is all set for the upcoming assignment against New Zealand. Having beaten Bangladesh in a two-game Test and three-game T20I series, Rohit Sharma’s men will now take on New Zealand in a three-game Test series. The first Test of the series will be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru from October 16. 

Ahead of the series, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) took to X and shared a clip where several stars featured hard at work in the practice session ahead of the three-match series. 

In one of the highlights of the clip, veteran Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin previewed the upcoming series. In the video that has been going viral all over social media, Ashwin was captured talking about the nature of Test cricket, and how important it is for the team. 

“See, test cricket is constantly about adaptability, right? You can't start day five like how you start day one. Every day, you need to be able to adapt along with conditions. That's why they say test cricket is the pinnacle of this particular sport,” Ashwin said in the clip.

India maintain top position in the WTC standings

Having beaten Bangladesh in a two-game Test series in Chennai and Kanpur recently, team India have solidified their position at the top of the table in the World Test Championship standings. With 11 Tests played, India have won eight matches, lost two, and tied one game. With 98 points to their name, India are looking to reach their third straight WTC final. 

However, their spot in the summit clash of the WTC is not yet guaranteed. In order to reach the final, India will have to defeat New Zealand across three Tests and then go on to win a single Test in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.