‘Ashwin consistently added to his arsenal, much like upgrading software’ — K Gowtham
‘Ashwin consistently added to his arsenal, much like upgrading software’ — K Gowtham
Ash bhai has been a legend, and you naturally look up to him. I have always admired his mindset and approach towards the game. As a spinner, he is like a scientist — constantly experimenting and trying out new things. His ability to vary his bowling is simply incredible.
He is never a predictable bowler. If you observe his journey, you’ll see that he hasn’t confined himself to mastering just one skill. He developed the carrom ball with exceptional precision, added leg-spins and googlies to his repertoire, and continually experimented. He doesn’t want to be a monotonous, traditional off-spinner, which sets him apart.
From what I have observed, he is someone who thrives on innovation. His smartness is evident in the way he outfoxes batters, carefully setting them up for dismissals.
These are some of the qualities I have tried to learn from him.
When you play international cricket regularly, every team studies your bowling through videos. They analyse your techniques and understand your mindset.
This is where a bowler of Ash bhai’s calibre stands out. He consistently cultivates and adds to his arsenal, ensuring he stays ahead of the opposition. It’s akin to upgrading software — you have to keep evolving.
That’s exactly what he has done throughout his career. He has continually upgraded himself, knowing it was essential not just to achieve success but to sustain it over a long period. His remarkable tally of international wickets is a testament to how beautifully he accomplished that goal.
What I truly admire about him is his insatiable thirst for learning and his willingness to innovate. This is why he’s always a different bowler every time a batter faces him, keeping them guessing and staying one step ahead.
