I used to replicate Harbhajan Singh’s action in junior days, Says Ashwin

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin spoke how he was inspired by the former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and actually replicated his bowling actions during his junior days. Ashwin accepted that when he came into the Indian Test side in place of Harbhajan, people used to wonder if he could carry such a heavy weight or fill big shoes.

Left-arm spinner Ashwin starred with his all-round performance to help India take a 1-0 lead against Bangladesh on Sunday at Chepauk. He followed his impressive hundred on the first day of the Test, which rescued India from a dire situation of 144/6 in the first innings, with a six-wicket haul on the fourth day, spinning his side to an mammoth 280-run win against the visitors.

It was huge shoes to fill for me. I used to replicate his action and bowl in junior age categories, so he was a huge inspiration. When I came into the team replacing him, I never thought we'd both coincide at the same time, but it so happened. There were constant doubts about whether I could deliver in red-ball cricket because I came through the IPL, which shaped people's perceptions, Ashwin said on JioCinema.

With his 6-88, Ashwin marked the bowl of 750 wickets in international, becoming only the four spinning bowlers to achieve this after Muttiah Murali of Sri Lanka Shane Warne of Australia, and Anil Kumble of India.

This was also Ashwin's 37th Test five-wicket haul in an innings, taking him second on that list alongside Shane Warne with 37, and behind Muttiah Muralidaran with 67.

"But Test cricket is a format I have loved, and I wanted to better every day. A lot of people helped me on the journey, and I am very happy to stand here today," he said.

The off-spinner, who has now moved to the eighth position of all-time leading Test wicket-takers, ahead of Courtney Walsh's 519, now has 522 Test wickets to his name.

Ashwin then went on to reveal how his bowling and batting have evolved with the passage of time in Test cricket and said, "I don't think like, 'I want to go out there and make a hundred.' I genuinely aim to get a five-wicket haul in every Test match. But in recent years, my batting has become simpler than it was in the past.".

"I used to confuse myself. I used to overthink as a bowler while batting. Now, it is really simple—watch the ball and react. Compartmentalising those two was tough. But I think I have cracked it."

When India were in a spot of bother at 144/6, Ashwin and fellow spin bowling allrounder Ravindra Jadeja (86) stitched a crucial 199-run partnership that helped India recover and take a first-inning total to 376. Then the duo joined hands to wreak havoc on Bangladesh batters on the fourth day of the Test, sharing nine wickets between them.

Regarding his relationship with Jadeja, he said, "There might have been competition in the past, chasing wickets and all, but in the last four or five years, we've started enjoying each other's success a lot more. There's an understanding of what kind of bowling we need on certain days.".

"Jadeja is one of the best batters in the Indian team and I might even say in the world right now. He's got a solid game plan and is a trusted batter at this point in time. He calms the dressing room when he walks in and has helped me through difficult phases. We share a lot, and I think we're enjoying each other's company on and off the field."

The second Test will be played on 27 September at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.