In a recent revelation, veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opened up about the struggles he faced due to a persistent knee injury, which made him believe that his career was nearing its end. The 36-year-old even confided in his wife, Prithi Narayanan, that the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy could potentially mark his final series.

Reflecting on his career, Ashwin expressed immense pride in his accomplishments, not solely based on the number of wickets or runs he has achieved, but primarily on his ability to constantly adapt and reinvent himself. The illustrious spin maestro emphasized that insecurity becomes a major concern for cricketers as they age. According to Ashwin, it is this fear of losing one’s place in the team that leads players to tightly cling onto their position, ultimately resulting in their downfall. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

“I’m very proud of what I’ve done in my life not just because of wickets or runs. But how consistently I have been able to reinvent myself. One thing that really plagues cricketers or anybody as they grow old is insecurity. For me, it’s how cricketers get locked when they get older and when they get experienced; you want to hold on to something so tight, that you eventually end up breaking your own neck,” Ashwin expressed in an interview with The Indian Express.

Regarding his knee injury, Ashwin revealed that upon returning from the Bangladesh series, he confided in his wife about the possibility of the home series against Australia being his last. The 36-year-old further explained that he intended to modify his bowling action as it gained excessive momentum, causing his knee to buckle upon landing.

“When I came back from Bangladesh, I told my wife that the Australia series could become my last series. I used to have some knee issues. I told her that I am going to change my action because it really got a lot of momentum and with that when I was landing, my knee was buckling a little bit. I hadn’t done enough workload because of the T20 World Cup, but I was just not happy with the way the ball was coming, it was just scrambling a little bit here,” Ashwin elaborated.

Furthermore, Ashwin disclosed that by the second Test in Bangladesh, his knee began to ache and swell. Despite his discomfort, he believed that not bowling would be a foolish decision, considering his exceptional performance over the past three to four years. To alleviate the pain, Ashwin decided to make adjustments to his bowling action, which proved to be successful.

Following his decision, the no. 1 Test bowler sought treatment at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to aid his recovery. He resumed bowling, which alleviated the pain in his knee, and practiced for three to four days in Nagpur before entering the Test match without having played a single game with his modified action. Ashwin expressed his joy in winning the Player of the Series award, considering it one of the best series he had played in the last four to five years.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s journey serves as a testament to his resilience and determination. Overcoming adversity and adapting to challenges, he has showcased his ability to reinvent himself time and again, solidifying his status as one of India’s most accomplished cricketers. As he continues to evolve, Ashwin’s contributions to the team remain invaluable, inspiring younger players and leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Get the latest updates from the world of cricket only on Nextbet Sports.