In the 2018-19 domestic, the 32-year-old Ashutosh Aman decided to switch from Services to Bihar, but he had no idea that he will be ending up breaking a long-standing record. During a recent game against Manipur, he went on to break the record of the legendary left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi of taking most Ranji Trophy wickets in a single season, when he trapped Manipur’s Sagatpam Singh lbw for his 65th wicket.
In 1974-75, Bedi made a record by taking as many as 64 wickets at an unbelievable average of 8.53. Aman’s numbers this season are even much staggering – after day three of Bihar’s match against Manipur in Patna, he has 68 wickets at an average of 6.48. He works for the Indian Air Force and feels that he would’ve never thought of breaking the record until a week or so ago, but was delighted to have gone past the “legendary” Bedi.
Talking to ESPNCricinfo, Aman said, “When I had around 50 wickets, that’s when my team-mates told me that there’s a record that’s there to be broken. That’s when I pushed myself. I told myself that since I’ve come so close, then if I put some extra effort, then I could perhaps break the record.”
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Hailing from Bihar’s Gaya, Aman joined the Indian Air Force’s accounts department under their sports-quota scheme and began playing for Services.
Describing his journey, the domestic veteran said, “At 17 I joined the Air Force and after that, whatever cricket I’ve played and learned is under the Air Force’s aegis. My dream was to play days (first-class) cricket, and that’s why I made the switch. I have a job at the Air Force, so there I wasn’t getting many opportunities with Services, and therefore I came to Bihar since I live in Gaya anyway. I had the best economy in Vijay Hazare Trophy (2.10 in eight games) so then they asked me to play Ranji Trophy.”
Aman mentions Pragyan Ojha’s influence often and says the former India spinner has helped him become a more tactically aware as a bowler.
Talking about him further, Aman said, “Pragyan Ojha bhaiya is a simple and reachable man. He’s a professional, talks to everyone daily, and now we’ve come together very well. He said, “ball mein jaan aur bounce hona chahiye (your deliveries should have some life and bounce in them),” and after that my focus has been on that. So he said, “even if the ball isn’t turning, your bounce should hurry the batsmen up.” I prefer varying my pace because I’m not a big turner of the ball. My focus has always remained on bowling accurate deliveries.”
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Aman’s record-breaking feats have come in the Ranji Trophy’s Plate Division, which includes seven first-time teams, but he feels he can only bowl at the opponents he comes up against but acknowledged that the quality of opposition may not be as good as it might be in the top tier.
