R. Ashwin was quite candid in responding to a variety of questions, especially on the nature of limited-over internationals played these days and MCC’s new rules from October.
Ashwin who had a remarkable international season — he took 99 wickets in 17 Tests and scored 699 runs with two centuries and four half-centuries — was presented the CEAT Cricket Ratings’s International Cricketer of the Year award by Sunil Gavaskar and Harsh Goenka, chairman, RPG Enterprises at the Cricket Club of India, here on Wednesday. He received a trophy and cheque for ₹5 lakh.
Punjab’s Shubman Gill was declared the CEAT Young Player of the Year for scoring 603 runs in nine games against the touring England under-19 team. He received a cash award of ₹1 lakh.
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The off-spinner was one of the key performers in India’s 2013 ICC Champions Trophy campaign in England and Wales, taking eight wickets in five matches at 22.62, but he has played only five ODIs (two in Australia and three in India) since January 2016.
Speaking about the nature of ODIs these days, he said: “The conditions are not stacked in favour of the bowlers. I feel you have to be prepared for any challenge thrown at you and I generally expect placid wickets, and that’s the way I prepare for limited-over matches. As far as pressure is concerned, it is about handling one game at a time, and as you build up in every game, you start becoming a hot favourite.”
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Rule changes
Dissecting the ODI format and his role, he said: “There has been a lot of rule changes in terms of what ICC has done to the one-day format of the game (for example use of two new balls). There is no point in actually going in with the same set of skills, time and time again and let the game change your skill.
“I might be able to throw something new into this tournament (ICC Champions Trophy) hopefully; I think I am equipped enough to do it. Hopefully the two practice games (against New Zealand and Bangladesh at The Oval, London) will indicate how well I will go into this tournament and how well my variations will come to the fore. So I am just hoping that the two practice matches would be put to good use.”
Before presenting the award, Gavaskar said: “The 22nd year of the CEAT Cricket Ratings tells the commitment the company has showed for Indian cricket. Generally sponsors look for instant recognition, but CEAT has made the hard work of Indian cricketers rewarding. A pat on the back is the biggest reward a cricketer values from his teammates in the dressing room after a good performance.”