I had to work against my own will, says the rejuvenated Test bowler Ravi Ashwin

He was termed as a home track bully for not being able to make an impact in overseas Tests. Many had backed Kuldeep Yadav to replace him in whites as well. But Ravi Ashwin didn’t lose his head. He kept on improving his bowling and worked consciously ahead of the England tour. The results are in front of everyone. He was the most consistent bowler for India at Edgbaston.

He returned with the figures of 4/62 and 3/59 and most importantly bowled with venom to keep the opposition batsmen on the tenterhooks all the time. The off-spinner has added more variations to his kitty and is threatening more than ever.

I have been working on my action

Ravi Ashwin, while speaking to BCCI.tv, revealed that he was busy working on his bowling action for the last few months. He also wanted to make the ball talk while it was in the air and all the hard work seems to have paid off for him. “Over the last 12 months, I have been working on simplifying my action; make sure I can get more body into the ball and hence, create something in the air. Doing the batsmen in the air is something I have consciously worked upon,” he said.

The 31-year-old looks a completely different bowler now and most importantly is bowling more off-spinners than before. However, he also had to work against his will sometimes while working on his action. “When you are trying to do it, the body simply gives up — you are a touch short or long. A lot of bad habits creep up, like the arms coming in. I had to work against my own will,” the offie added.

Ashwin continues to be the threat for the batsmen for the rest of the series as he is no more a bowler who depends on the pitch to help him. He was challenged and the best off-spinner of India has come up trumps.

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