Dharamsala: Ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin asserted that he worked on different actions and speeds throughout the five-match-long Test series against England and experimenting while shutting out external noises was integral for his success in the varied Indian conditions.
Ashwin, who played his 100th Test here, finished the five-match series as the top wicket-taker, bagging 26 wickets including two fifers. He also achieved the 500 Test wickets landmark during the Rajkot Test. With the five-wicket haul in the second innings of the Dharamshala Test, Ashwin also became the Indian bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket and also equalled legendary off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan in terms of most wickets (9) in 100th Test.
"Throughout the series, I have gone to different actions, speeds and releases. India is different, each ground has a challenge. I am the least bit insecure about what people feel about me," Ashwin said at the post-match presentation.
The 37-year-old said the mindset to add new dimensions to his bowling has worked well for him.
"If I am confident that I can try something, I don't hold back. I have kept my ears and eyes open to listen to good feedback. Unless I try, I will never be able to learn. I am not saying sticking to one method won't work. But thankfully experimenting and learning has helped me," Ashwin, who hails from Tamil Nadu, added.
