R Ashwin recalls MS Dhoni’s advice which helped him get over 'mental trauma'

Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been on a roll this year and his numbers are nothing short of phenomenal. With 52 wickets in eight matches, the 35-year-old is the highest wicket-taker in Tests in 2021. He has also showcased his potential with the willow in hand. Although Ashwin has enjoyed some of his best cricket in recent times, it wasn’t long ago when he was suffering from mental trauma.

The star off-spinner had lost his place in both ODI and T20I sides in 2017. Moreover, former Team India coach Ravi Shastri had called Kuldeep Yadav the team’s best overseas spinner, when the youngster was new in the international arena. As if this was not enough, Ashwin was ruled out of final three Tests against Australia during the 2018-19 tour due to an injury.

Recalling that period, Ashwin explained how he underwent mental trauma and how MS Dhoni’s advice helped him cope the struggle. “I think my self-awareness is very high. And I think a lot. So it was even harder for me. If you get injured, and you’re coming back, it’ll still be in your head,” Ashwin said in an interaction with Cricket Monthly.

I’m very well placed to face the adversities of life: Ravichandran Ashwin

“But if you get injured and go through the kind of mental trauma I had to go through, it is even more difficult. And I think I’m extremely well placed for the experience. I’m very well placed to face the adversities of life, for which I’m grateful,” added the 35-year old. Ashwin also recalled a piece of advice which former Indian captain MS Dhoni had given him.

“I have never feared failure in my life. So to go out there on the ground and fail in terms of performance, it’s fine. Like MS Dhoni always said, it is processes vs results. I believe I certainly have cracked the process. I don’t fear failing in front of millions or billions of people. It means nothing. At least I have got the [opportunity] to go out there and succeed or fail, which most people don’t get,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ashwin is currently gearing up for India’s upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa, which gets underway on December 26. As the likes of Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are missing this series due to injuries, Ashwin is set to be India’s first-choice spinner.