India has taken a firm grip on the first Test match against New Zealand after the end of the penultimate day. Chasing an improbable target of 434, the Kiwis are reeling 1t 93 for 4 and one man who deserves the credit for this is Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner dismissed the first three batsmen to set a solid platform for the hosts. In the process, he also became the second fastest bowler to take 200 wickets in Tests. Talking to the media after the end of day’s play, Ashwin spoke on various topics.
Excerpts:
On becoming the second fastest to take 200 wickets:
I am happy trying to compete with myself. When I say that, I might sound cliched but I always say I constantly compete with myself. You go out and try and beat records. Trying to catch up with records, always teach you lessons. That is something Test cricket taught me pretty early in my career. I lost a good 12 to 18 months and that’s good enough to teach me all the lessons.
On the most memorable wicket in Tests:
Definitely, the 200th one is very special so far. Kane Williamson is not a bad scalp. There have been quite a few good wickets I had over a period of time. Kane Williamson getting out in this Test match in the first innings was a very good ball. Sangakkara in Sri Lanka, these are some special memories I cherish in my career. I hope I create more and more in the future.
On his next target in Tests:
The next target is that we have to win this Test match. Everybody talks about 13 matches in the season. For me, it’s one match at a time. Try to take a 1-0 lead and take it forward.
On whether the match is as good as over:
The game is not finished as yet. We are not jumping to any conclusions. The fact is we have to take six more wickets. It’s too early to call anything. We should have got them five or six down today, I am a bit disappointed with that.
On Indian pitches accused of being rank-turners:
To be honest, playing on what kind of wickets we are playing is not something Kumble or Kohli can go and roll wickets or water it. What we get is what we are going to play. We are looking to playing good cricket. It’s not going to take the sheen off. It’s very unfortunate, people don’t realise it but it is very important that we go and enjoy the brand of cricket we play. A win is a win and savour it. Test match gets over in two days in England, nobody talks about… why in India?