Says the break has helped and he is a lot fresher now

After six years of Test cricket and over 54 matches, off-spinner R. Ashwin reached the 300-wicket mark, when he bowled Lahiru Gamage, here on Monday. This has made him the quickest bowler to achieve the feat overtaking Australian fast bowling great Dennis Lillee, who achieved it in 56 Tests.

Ashwin, who has 216 wickets at home, is the fourth right-arm finger-spinner to take 300 wickets, the others being Lance Gibbs (309 wickets), Harbhajan Singh (417) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800).

“Wickets haven not come quickly. I really hope I can go on to double these 300 wickets, I’ve only played 54 Tests. It’s not easy bowling spin, it looks like you’re just ambling up. But there’s a lot behind it. We’ve bowled a lot of overs, me and Jaddu. And the break has helped, I’m a lot more fresh now comparatively,” said Ashwin in a post-match TV interview.

Praise for Ishant

Talking about the hectic happenings on Monday morning, he said: “Today was a bit funny in the morning, the ball spun a little bit but kept straight as well. Special mention to Ishant. He’s bowled really well after coming back. His angular release makes it difficult, changing the height of the release has also helped.

“And me and Jaddu (Jadeja) bowl the right pace on these kinds of wickets. We are a bit more blessed than the other greats. We have technology to help. We have help with our fitness. So we shouldn’t compare. The carrom ball was a good ball, I haven’t bowled many of those in the last 24 months.

“I have worked on different releases for it and now that we are travelling, I think I needed that extra bit. It has been a longer break than I have been used to over the last few years. But I did have a good stint in Worcester and I learnt a lot of things.”

Rohit’s pat

“Hats off to Ashwin. In the last six years, he’s been one of the match-winners of the team for the way he’s performed and brought the team back from difficult situations. I hope he continues to do so. I wish him all the luck.

“He exactly knows what he’s doing and works according to his plans. It’s always important that you stay within your limits and Ashwin is doing that,” said Rohit Sharma.