New Delhi: As he is no spring chicken, Ravichandran Ashwin knows the importance of maintaining fitness for what will be a long season of Test cricket for the Indian team.
India are scheduled to play in 10 Tests, beginning with the match series against Bangladesh, followed by a three games at home against New Zealand and a five-match tour of Australia.
The 38-year-old Ashwin began the season with a man of the match performance scoring a century against claiming six wickets in the second innings as India won by 280 runs against Bangladesh in Chennai.
India currently lead the ICC World Test Championship rankings, ahead of Australia and need to win four more of the nine matches till June 2025 to all but secure a place in the final.
“It’s a long season. It’s tough. Sometimes when you look so far ahead, it can be quite difficult. You’re playing like 3-4 months of cricket, and 10 Test matches,” Ashwin said after India’s win.
“But sometimes you can’t think like that. You have to stack it up (one match at a time). I did put in a bit of work getting into it. I need to have some reserves in the tank.”
‘It’s about physically remaining fit’
Ashwin has been part of the Indian team that lost in two consecutive WTC finals that motivates the all-rounder to maintain his fitness during breaks between series’.
“There are good breaks between games. Hopefully, we’ll get small windows for me to keep ironing it out (fitness). More than skill, I think it’s about physically being able to go through the season which is of utmost importance for me,” the off-spinner said.
“It’s not the same as if you play 25, 26, 30 or even 35. 38 is different to 35. Every bit of work that you put, you have to put in doubly hard to earn the right to be there.
“So, I have reduced my strength training sessions. I work differently on mobility and other aspects of life. I do a bit of yoga. It’s good.”
R Ashwin began the season with a man of the match performance scoring a century against claiming six wickets in the second innings as India won by 280 runs against Bangladesh in Chennai. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
