Off-spinner R Ashwin exudes belief that borders more on self-awareness rather than over confidence

Don't want to rest on IPL laurels: R Ashwin

Off-spinner R Ashwin exudes belief that borders more on self-awareness rather than over confidence.

The timing of a national call-up is of great importance for any player and Ashwin knows he is fortunate that it has come for him at a time when he is on a high after playing a key role in Chennai Super Kings' successful Indian Premier League campaign earlier this year. But he is equally aware that resting on past laurels will not take him forward.

The T20 format is considered to be the most punishing for spinners but Ashwin used his variations in flight and spin intelligently and had success even while opening the bowling in the IPL.

"That has added a completely new dimension to my bowling and that's going to help me in the future. When someone will talk about me, they will know that as an off spinner, I can even open the bowling. That opens up a lot of options. Personally too, it has given me a lot of confidence as even in a T20 game I can do well while opening the bowling, Ashwin said adding that in the present time, it was important for an off-spinner to be multidimensional.

"Nowadays, you cannot be a bowler whose main role is to contain the oppositions nor can you always go for wickets. The requirements have changed and hence the bowler must know how to adapt to the situation and the demands of the team. If you know how to contain or bowl to pick wickets, then your team will have more chances of winning. And if the team wins, you not only feel more confident, it also helps in ensuring that people know what you are capable of," Ashwin said.

After his IPL success, advice has come from all quarters for Ashwin but the offie has been very careful in following what he is told. "I have two coaches in Chennai, (former India opener) WV Raman and (former Tamil Nadu spinner) Sunil Subramaniam. I have been going to them for advice since a long time and I think it's better to listen to a few people who know your game. Listening to a lot of people only makes things more confusing," he said.

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