"I was unsure if I would continue to play test cricket when we were in the pandemic" - Ravichandran Ashwin

Recognised as one of the finest spinners of the modern era, Ravichandran Ashwin has achieved a new feat during the 1st Test match between India and New Zealand at Kanpur. The 35-year-old became the third-highest wicket-taker for India in the longest format of the game.

Ravichandran Ashwin has gone over Harbhajan Singh who had scalped 417 wickets in Test cricket. Notably, the Tamil Nadu born bowler achieved this feat in his 80th Test match whereas his fellow off-spinner took 103 games to achieve that feat.

Since his debut for India in 2011, Ravichandran Ashwin become a regular name in the lineup, especially in Test cricket. At one time, Ashwin had a fear that he won't be able to play the longest format of the game due to the Covid-19 pandemic that ruled the world for more than a year. 

I never thought I would even be a fake: Ravichandran Ashwin

During an interaction with Shreyas Iyer for the BCCI website, Ravichandran Ashwin said, "To be very modest about what has been going on in my life and career over the past two years, I was unsure if I would continue to play test cricket when we were in the pandemic, during the lockdown." 

"I hadn’t played the last (India) test in Christchurch (which went underway on February 29, 2020). I stood at a crossroads thinking if I would replay the tests, where my future is headed, can I get into the test team which is the only format I play. But God was kind and I was able to change things," Ashwin added. 

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Moreover, the 35-year-old also stated that his stint with the Delhi-based franchise has helped to recover a lot during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League. "I then moved to Delhi Capitals when you (Shreyas Iyer) were captain and things have changed since," Ashwin claimed. 

After that, the off-spinner concluded about Harbhajan Singh's heroics against the mighty Australian side in the 2001 home series made him inspire and wanted to give his best for the nation.

"When he (Harbhajan Singh) performed this wonderful spell against Australia in 2001, I never thought I would even be a fake (someday) that day. But, inspired by him, I picked up the ball to go bowling and here I am. Thank you Bhajji pa for inspiring me," he further added.