Ind vs Ban, 1st Test - R Ashwin explains how he approaches batting and bowling differently

All-rounders often tend to rely on their good results in one discipline to succeed in the other, but it is perhaps possible that R Ashwin’s primary skill has held back his secondary skill.

“Bowling and batting are very separate sports in the same game,” Ashwin said after the second day of the Chennai Test between India and Bangladesh. “One is played consciously. The other is played unconsciously. So, for me, compartmentalizing the two made perfect sense.”

He scored 113 off 133 balls, which helped the hosts post 376 runs in the first innings. The bowlers then crushed Bangladesh, bowling them out for 149 and almost taking complete control of the proceedings.

Ashwin came in with 144 for 6 and immediately put into practice what he has learned over a long career: that with the bat in hand, he must be a completely different person to the one who has become one of the greatest spinners in history.

“At this point, I am able to sequence that and separate the two and see it like a cricketer. So when I went out there (to bat), the only thing I wanted to do was calm down my game. The mind can play tricks because I am a bowler who bowls 12, 18, 24 balls ahead when I sequence it. As a batsman, I shouldn’t be doing that. I just use my experience when I come into the game. So now it’s more about focusing on the ball and hitting it the way I see it.”

It was Ashwin’s second consecutive century at his home ground, Chepauk, after a 106 against England in similar circumstances in 2021. He wasn’t really able to pick which one he preferred.

“Both. (The England Test) had a lot at stake. We lost the first one and got to the second one. The last time I played in Chennai, I felt like I was making a bit of a comeback in more ways than one. I was a bit here and there. I went to Australia and came back here. It was different and I enjoyed it. I think my batting has improved a lot since that game in particular. I’ve worked a lot on how I can maximise my shots, maximise my game. I’ve worked on how I can play fast bowling and all that kind of stuff. I’m happy it’s going well.”

Ashwin is doing this – pushing himself even at 38 with 500 wickets already in the bag – for a very simple reason.

“Happiness. You want to be good. You excel. You feel happy at the end of the day. That drives me to that. Every time I succeed, it leaves me in a positive and happy state of mind. That’s why you go on this journey. You want to succeed. You want to excel on the world stage. People look at you and you’re happy about it.”

There was a time when Ashwin could not find a way to play cricket with that freedom. “I used to be very critical of myself, but not so much now because I was already putting a lot of pressure on myself. Not only was I putting pressure on myself, but there was pressure from outside as well. I used to find happiness in responding to my critics with my performance or in the press conference. But that is not the case anymore. The most important thing for me now is to enjoy my game, live in the moment, play cricket with a smile. Four or five years ago, I promised myself, with great difficulty, that I would not respond to anyone and play for my own happiness. And I have kept my word till today.”

As is often the case with his bowling, Ashwin had Jadeja as his partner throughout a match-deciding 199-run seventh-wicket stand.

“You don’t plan things like that. Jaddu is such a good cricketer. I’ve always envied him. I’ve made that clear. So gifted, so talented. He’s found ways to maximise his potential. He’s very simple. He can repeat it day in and day out. I wish I could be him but I’m happy to be him. He’s an exceptionally good cricketer. I’m happy for him. Similarly, in many ways, watching him play over the last couple of years has made me see how much better I can be. We’ve both grown together. We’ve both achieved special things. We really appreciate each other at this stage. We both appreciate each other’s success more than ever before.”