'Why Some Get More Chances To Fail But I Get One' - Ashwin Questions Before 100th Test
Ravichandran Ashwin celebrating an English wicket in February 2024 (BCCI)
Ravichandran Ashwin is set to take field for Team India for the 100th time in his Test career.
Currently sitting on a pile of 507 wickets from 99 Test matches, the legendary off-spinner is poised to feature in India’s playing XI for their upcoming final match of the series against the visiting English team in Dharamshala.
Having made his format debut back in November 2011, the cricketer often tends to find himself warming the bench, especially during India’s overseas Test outings in favour of teammate Ravindra Jadeja.
Citing Ashwin’s repeated omissions from the playing XI on tough SENA tours, former Indian captain and all-time great Anil Kumble recently claimed that the spinner should have played his 100th Test match much earlier in his career.
Anil Kumble questions Ravi Ashwin’s delayed 100th Test
Even though Ravichandran Ashwin made his Test debut in November 2011, it will be taking him nearly 13 years to reach the landmark figure of 100 Test matches for his country.
As it turned out, the legendary off-spinner was often sidelined from the Indian playing XI, especially during overseas Tests against SENA countries to make way for teammate Ravindra Jadeja.
Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble recently cited the same, claiming that he believes Ashwin should have played his 100th Test match much earlier in his career. The ex-Indian captain also asked the modern-day legend to express his feeling about getting sidelined from playing XIs in non-spin friendly countries like South Africa, England, Australia and New Zealand.
During their interaction on JioCinema, Ravichandran Ashwin responded that he has “made peace” with all the decisions of the team management, as he does not want to put his own interest before the team.
“I genuinely do feel that bowlers play second-fiddle to the batters. That’s because probably, batters just get that one chance. I mean you are knocked out; you are out. This used to play on my mind constantly: Why is it that I get one game to fail and why is it that somebody else gets more games to fail? Eventually I have made peace with the fact that the team needs to win. When I was young, all I wanted to do was wear the India jersey for one day. Just because of who I am today, I cannot put my selfish interest ahead of the team.”
Last month during the Rajkot Test match against England, Ravichandran Ashwin scaled the 500-wicket milestone in Tests to become only the second Indian cricketer after Anil Kumble, and ninth overall to do so.
As of now, he is slated to wear his 100th Test cap for Team India when Rohit Sharma and co. will take field against the visitors in Dharamshala from March 7 onwards.
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