In a heart-warming video posted by BCCI, paying tribute to the premier India off-spinner, Ashwin talked about life, cricket and beyond, stressing on the fact that a happy life is a successful life and happiness is about being with the people you love.
Test cricket will see two players featuring in their 100th game together for only the fourth time when Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow take the field in Dharamsala on Thursday.
Ashwin, who recently became only the second Indian after Anil Kumble to cross 500 wickets in the game’s longest format, made his Test debut in 2011 and has enjoyed more highs than lows during a 13-year journey.
Ashwin, an engineering graduate who hails from the southern city of Chennai, started out as a batsman and bowled medium-pace before switching to off-spin.
Earlier, on Wednesday, skipper Rohit Sharma said that no praise is enough for Ashwin, lauding the off-spinner and terming him a “rare” talent critical for the team’s success.
“(It’s a) big achievement for any player to play 100 Tests. It is a big milestone. He has been a match winner for us. What he has done for us, no praise is enough,” Rohit said on the eve of the match.
“His performances over the last five-seven years, every series he has contributed. It is rare to have players like him,” he added.
“I want to congratulate him for his 100 test landmark, of course to get near it as the toss hasn’t happened. It feels good to reap rewards of your hard work,” the skipper said.