“I now just want to play cricket with a smile on my face,” Ashwin revealed

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In the opening Test against Bangladesh at Chepauk, Chennai, which concluded on September 22, 2024, India found itself in a precarious position at 144/6. Enter Ravichandran Ashwin, who walked to the crease with the weight of expectations and the team in dire need of a rescue. What followed was a resolute and masterful century by Ashwin, alongside Ravindra Jadeja, to pull India out of trouble and push the score to a respectable total.

Reflecting on this gritty knock, Ashwin shared how he's liberated himself from both external and internal pressures that once dictated his approach to the game. “I now just want to play cricket with a smile on my face,” Ashwin revealed. His unbeaten century was a testament to not just his skill but his newfound mental freedom.

The 38-year-old veteran has learned to separate his emotions from the pressures that once influenced his performance. In the past, Ashwin admitted, he would often react to even the smallest provocations, be it on the field or in the media. Now, he has matured into a player who thrives in high-pressure situations without letting external forces dictate his state of mind. "I enjoy and embrace pressure... but I've promised myself 4-5 years ago that I won't respond to anyone, and I've maintained that."

This detachment has allowed Ashwin to better compartmentalize his roles as both a bowler and a batter, each requiring a different mental approach. “Bowling and batting are very separate sports in the same game," he explained. "One is done consciously, and the other subconsciously."

During his marathon 189-minute innings, spread across three sessions and consuming 240 balls, Ashwin applied a simple yet effective strategy—one starkly different from his bowling approach. "As a batter, I just focused on the ball in front of me, hitting it as I saw it," he noted, avoiding the mind games that accompany planning several deliveries ahead as a bowler.

Ashwin has worked diligently on his batting over the last three years, adding versatility to his game. His improvements have not only allowed him to perform better against fast bowling but also made him an invaluable asset to the team. "I've worked a lot on my batting... to maximize my shots, and it's gratifying to see it come together," he said.

Ultimately, his innings was more than just runs on the board; it was a personal triumph and a professional fulfillment. "You feel happy, having been in a contest and coming out successful," Ashwin reflected, underscoring the joy he finds in competing at the highest level. His performance against Bangladesh at Chepauk was not just about helping India recover; it was a manifestation of a calm, confident cricketer who has found peace both on and off the field.

#AshwinCentury #MentalStrength #SkillAndResilience #INDvsBAN #ChepaukTest #RaviAshwin #TeamIndia #TestCricket #CricketWithASmile #PressurePlayer #CricketMasterclass #AshwinMagic #CricketRescueAct #ChennaiTest

Venkataramanan Ramasethu

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