R Ashwin credits Anil Kumble for success in Antigua Test

Ravichandran Ashwin, who picked up a seven-wicket haul in the second innings of the first Test against West Indies in Antigua, credited Anil Kumble for his inputs that helped him bag his maiden fifer outside Asia. After scoring a fine 113, Ashwin bowled 17 overs without any success in the first innings. However, he came back in style in the second innings, dismantled the West Indies batting line-up in to finish with figures of 7 for 83, which helped the visitors to a massive win by an innings and 92 runs.

Speaking to bcci.tv, the off spinner said: "In the first innings, I went wicketless for about 20-25 overs that I bowled in the match. In the past, that would have definitely troubled me as I am a bowler who likes to keep getting wickets. I kept speaking to him (Kumble) about what I was doing right and what I wasn't. Obviously, he felt that my body was not going through as it was a little tired. He also told me to slow down a little at the crease. He gave me different ideas about what lines I can bowl to batsmen. It is about the knack of getting wickets and it is a good that we shared today," he pointed out.

"In the first innings, I could not get a good spell going. The fast bowlers were bowling really we had and we had to shortchange with them for roles and bowl and give them breaks. In the second innings, I started bowling and I was constantly in touch with Anil bhai also about what is the right speeds to be bowling.

Speeds were something that was going to be a challenge as the ball was getting softer and as it got softer, it was hard to get the ball going. It was slow and sluggish, so we needed to keep a tab on the speed and also get the drift going," Ashwin added.

Ashwin became the the third player to score a century and take seven wickets in an innings of the same Test after Australia's Jack Gregory and Ian Botham. While he was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round efforts, Ashwin believed the award should also have gone to Virat Kohli, who scored his maiden double ton.
 
"Honestly, I think this Man of the Match award could have gone to Virat Kohli as well," he told bcci.tv on Sunday (July 24). "If I had not got a five-wicket haul or if I had just got a five-wicket haul, I would have shared with him, but with seven wickets and a hundred, I felt I deserved it a bit more. But I am sure with the kind of form he is in and the way he is batting, he is going to go and cap it up somewhere on this tour."
 
Ashwin also became the third cricketer after Garry Sobers and Ian Botham to score a century and pick up five or more wickets in the same Test, both home and away. When asked about his thoughts of joining a special club, the Indian all-rounder said: "You're joining me with the club of Sir Ian Botham and Sir Garry Sobers. These are some of the biggest names that cricketing world has ever heard. To be really modest and analytical of it, it has taken me five years for me to repeat it outside the sub-continent, that is something I always wanted to break. Getting a five-wicket haul away from sub-continent is something I have worked earnestly towards and I am really pleased for myself," Ashwin said.
 
The two teams will now head to Jamaica for the second Test of the four-Test series, which starts from July 30.