“I want to bowl like Sunil Narine” - Dinesh Karthik shares interesting story about R Ashwin after BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Team India's veteran off-spinner R Ashwin called time on his stellar international cricket career following the side's recently concluded third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia. The announcement came on Wednesday, December 18.
Ashwin's former India and Tamil Nadu teammate Dinesh Karthik shared an interesting story following his retirement. He revealed that at one point, the spinner wanted to bowl like West Indies' Sunil Narine.
Recalling the incident, here's what Karthik told Cricbuzz:
"Once I remember in an Asia Cup game, he said, 'I want to bowl like Sunil Narine because if he can get away with what he is doing, I want to do it as well.' He is a man who's able to push boundaries and do things that people would be very, very reluctant to do. He has never thought twice. He feels that he wants to take every advantage that is there in the book."
Karthik reserved high praise for Ashwin, pointing out how he developed from being a 'one-trick pony' to having multiple variations in his repertoire. He also hailed the 38-year-old as the greatest-ever cricketer from Tamil Nadu. He added:
"He is the greatest-ever cricketer that's come out from Tamil Nadu. I saw him when he was playing U14, and he was a one-trick pony. He could just bowl fast and flat. From there to becoming an absolute geek and scientist that' they all call him because of how he is able to innovate and change things in the middle of the game or series.
"He sets the bar very high for himself. One thing that when you see Ashwin you get is that he is a clever man. He knows that he is doing. He has always used that to his advantage as much as possible. He has pushed the bar in every regard. He has done great things."
Ashwin's sudden retirement surprised many fans and experts. The seasoned campaigner won't be with Team India for the remaining two BGT Tests in Australia and is set to return home.
"He could have easily played another couple of seasons" - Dinesh Karthik on R Ashwin's retirement
Dinesh Karthik further stated that R Ashwin could have easily played in India's home matches for another couple of seasons. He, however, emphasized that there was a slight dip in the spinner's performance, which could have promoted him to take the call.
Opining that Ashwin retired from international cricket at the right time, Karthik said:
"He could have easily played another couple of seasons in the home games, nobody would have questioned. Just a series ago he was the Man of the Series. But I personally felt he wasn't the bowler that he was a couple of years ago and I always felt he would be thinking about it because he is a man who has set very high standards. for himself. I think he has taken the decision at the right time."
R Ashwin featured in 287 matches in international cricket. He picked up 765 wickets across formats, the second-highest by an Indian.