Chennai: R. Ashwin’s stock continues to rise as he continued his rich vein of form in the recently concluded Test series in Sri Lanka where he finished as the leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets. Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in the city on Wednesday, the off-spinner said, “we are extremely pleased and happy with the series especially winning after 22 years in Sri Lanka. This is also the first one for this young team and we hope to achieve more.”
The 28-year old spinner was especially successful against Kumar Sangakkara, who played his final two Tests for Sri Lanka, dismissing the latter on all four occasions. Elaborating about the plans he laid out for the Sri Lankan legend, Ashwin said, “I wanted to put the ball in right areas. I saw his weak zones and wanted to make sure I have him under control and not allow him to dominate and it worked out well for me.”
With his fourth man-of-the-series award, Ashwin is just one place below Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, who have won it five times, said he hoped to continue doing it and also complemented the efforts of the close in fielders. Speaking about his tennis elbow issue he said, “It is a bit of a chronic issue for me. I have adjusted to it over a period of time and it should be fine.”
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Adding to skipper Virat Kohli’s comments about the Ishant Sharma’s aggression, Ashwin said, “Ishant was pumped up when after that incident and was motivated when went on the field on the fourth day and helped him pick those two crucial wickets.”