R. Ashwin couldn’t have asked for a better build-up to this year’s IPL. Before the T20 extravaganza, the off-spinner had a memorable Test series against England at home. He reached significant milestones, becoming the second Indian bowler to take more than 500 Test wickets and also playing his 100th Test.
Barren stretch
However, as he swapped the red cherry for the white kookaburra ball, the wily spinner had a tough beginning to the 17th edition of the IPL. He went wicketless for six consecutive games and had only two scalps after nine outings.
However, in the last four matches, the 37-year-old has managed to turn things around, bagging seven wickets and being economical (ER: 6.81).
Ashwin saved his best for the big occasion on Wednesday, producing a match-winning performance in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
His spell (4-0-19-2) during the middle phase of the contest proved decisive as Rajasthan Royals tightened the screws on the Bengaluru side. That Ashwin did not concede a single boundary reflected his accuracy and control. Along the way, he dispelled the myth that an off-spinner bowling to a right-hander was not an effective option.
Against RCB’s right-hand heavy batting line-up, Ashwin stuck to a predominantly over-the-wicket line to tie down Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar — one of the better players of spin — by bowling into their pads and cramping them for width.
Opening up
After his Player-of-the-Match show, Ashwin opened up about his difficult start to IPL 2024.
“Truth be told, my body wasn’t moving at all in the first half of the season. I felt like I wasn’t able to complete my action many times. I had a little bit of an abdomen injury as well. So I couldn’t get through it a lot,” said Ashwin.
“For me, it was more about the rhythm and hitting the right lengths. You come from Test-match mode and your body needs to get into it. I am ageing, so it’s not that easy anymore.
“The amount of repetitions I need for a T20 game is a lot. I actually bowl a lot off game time as well. I needed that amount of bowling time to get into rhythm,” added Ashwin.
Flag-bearer
At a time when finger spinners are finding it tough in white-ball cricket, Ashwin is flying the flag for his craft.
Having rediscovered his mojo, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner will hope to continue his form in the home stretch of the competition which will be played in his backyard over the next three days, starting with Friday’s Qualifier 2 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
