Chennai. Star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s preparation for the upcoming season is different now than it was a decade ago and he admitted on Sunday that he focuses on taking one match at a time rather than keeping the entire season in mind. India will play nine more Tests by June 2025, including a potential World Test Championship (WTC) final under different conditions.
This motivates Ashwin to keep himself ready for the next challenge after each match.
Ashwin told reporters after the first Test against Bangladesh, “It is a long season which will be difficult. But when you look so far ahead, it can be very difficult. You play cricket for three-four months and then there are 10 Test matches as well. ” He said, “But sometimes you cannot think like this. You have to focus on one match at a time. I have worked a little hard for this. ” Ashwin also wants to use the break between Tests or two series for fitness.
He said, “There are good breaks between the matches. Hopefully I will get short breaks for fitness. I think it is about being physically fit rather than skill which is most important for me.” He said, “This preparation is no longer like what you do at the age of 25, 26, 30 or 35. Preparation is different at the age of 38. You have to work twice as hard as before.” Ashwin made headlines with his all-round performance (one century and six wickets) but his performance is incomplete without mentioning Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja supported him well at the other end and took five wickets in the match. He said, “He has been very inspiring. On many occasions in the last three-four years, when he comes to bat, I feel very calm and composed.”