Ravichandran Ashwin became emotional as he listened to India’s head coach Rahul Dravid’s heartfelt speech on the occasion of his 100th Test match. However, he became the 14th Indian cricketer to have achieved this milestone. And, his wife, Prithi shared the emotion.
‘It’s been a lot actually. The build-up to it (100th Test) has been unbelievable. We were looking to look at it as another game. But, I don’t think that happens when you come so close to the milestone. So, considering the last few weeks we have had, I think this is the start of better things to come. It’s an insane achievement how far he has come. With help of his mates, family and everybody. The massive support system he has got, his own hard work, it’s surreal. A bit lost now, but it’s very nice,” Prithi said in a video released by BCCI.
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In his 100th Test appearance, R Ashwin showed his outstanding skill, claiming two wickets in three balls against England. Tom Hartley’s slog-sweep was taken at deep mid-wicket, followed by Mark Wood’s edge to slip as well and along with Kuldeep Yadav’s fifer, they managed to restrict England within 218. And, while batting India managed 135 runs for 1 on Stumps.
After the day’s game, Kuldeep Yadav said as quoted by Cricbuzz: “I am enjoying my game. To be honest I put a lot of hard work after my surgery in 2021. It’s just the reward I am getting now. I worked on my pace, it’s very important when you play a Test match in India. I am just enjoying my bowling. I liked the Zak Crawley wicket. He batted really well throughout the series, good player of spin. It’s important not to think about the wicket and I am someone who relies on my skill and variation in length.
Not to think about what the wicket is going to produce. Just focus on the areas. When I was very young I used to overthink how to get the batter out. Slowly, slowly I matured as a spinner and focused on length. He (Pope) stepped out a bit early. (Jurel and) Even Sarfaraz was saying the same thing he is going to step out, he is not comfortable. Ash (Ashwin) bhai says a few things on the field, gives a few ideas. (Asked if he tries to take advantage of batters now picking him) I don’t think too much about what they are doing.”
