A long break is an unusual interlude in the life of an international cricketer in the 21st Century. More so, if one happens to play for India. Since his rise to prominence almost two years ago in South Africa, Ravichandran Ashwin has played non-stop cricket. While other cricketers have skipped some series to take a rest, the off-spinner has played matches right from league cricket to a World Cup quarter-final in this period.
Rare enthusiasm
Such enthusiasm for the game is rarely seen; nor can it be translated into on-field action without exceptional fitness. However, as the break after the IPL final nears its end (not a break really, since he played league cricket even during this period), Ashwin has begun to appreciate the need for a modern cricketer to refresh himself for another period of incessant cricket. “When I was a kid, I used to think that time flies on a cricket field. But now, since cricket has become work, this break has flown by quickly too,” he says.
Ashwin’s break will come to an end later this month when the Indian team travels to the island nation of Sri Lanka. Despite playing the Lankans regularly in the past few years, Ashwin is anything but ‘bored’ of them. He says he always looks forward to playing them as it provides him the opportunity to watch one of his favourite batsmen, Sri Lanka’s captain, Mahela Jayawardene. His eyes light up as he talks about Jayawardene and confesses that he is one of the most difficult batsmen he has bowled to.
Though many consider Ashwin’s talents are best suited to limited overs cricket, he unambiguously puts Tests above all other formats. Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan and England’s Graeme Swann, both renowned for their test cricket exploits, unsurprisingly come to his mind when he talks about the fellow practitioners of his trade who have immensely impressed him. However, his dream of bowling to Mark Waugh, another of his favourite batsmen, will at best remain unfulfilled.
Arguably the longest format of life, marriage, is unlikely to distract Ashwin from the longer form of the game. He got married last November and feels that his life hasn’t changed much as he has known his wife for a long time. Familiarity breeds stability, they say.
Other interests
Ashwin plays and watches almost every sport, especially basketball and soccer. Outside cricket, Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal is his favourite sportsperson. In his free time, Ashwin likes to listen to music and read books. Describing himself as a ‘private person’, Ashwin believes music keeps him ‘sane’. “I listen to a lot of music and there’s no preference for a particular type. On match days though, I prefer to listen to soft, instrumental music.”
Our conversation is suddenly interrupted by an elderly man who categorically states that Ashwin will become the Indian team’s captain one day. When questioned on captaincy, Ashwin replies, “I enjoy captaincy since I think I’m a good planner. But I’m not the sort of person who looks too far ahead.”
