"These off-spinners, won't they be abusing you in their minds while bowling?"- Ravichandran Ashwin shares interesting conversation with his wife
Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared an interesting conversation with his wife about his age while watching Duleep Trophy highlights at home ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. The 38-year-old is coming off a stunning performance in India's 280-run win over Bangladesh, scoring a century and picking up a six-wicket haul.
While Ashwin's 37th five-wicket haul drew him level with the late great Shane Warne, his sixth Test century saw him equal former Indian captain MS Dhoni's tally.
On his YouTube channel after the Bangladesh Test, Ashwin, in the twilight of his career, shared a hilarious conversation with his wife Prithi Narayanan.
"We were watching some highlights the day before yesterday. My wife told me something: 'These off-spinners, won't they be abusing you in their minds while bowling?' I wondered why and realised they must be thinking 'when will he leave for us to get a break?'," Ashwin was quoted as saying by India Today.
"Suddently, I felt a little off. I realised, yes, I am in that phase now. Even when we were young, we used to wonder about our place in the side. Everbody does it. When I look at it now, it brings me to reality. I makes you realise you have played for a lot of years," he added.
Ashwin debuted for India at 23 and has been an integral part of the side for over 14 years, especially in the Test format.
"I asked him 'When is your birthday?' - Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said his wife's question prompted him to ask Team India skipper Rohit Sharma about his next birthday so he wouldn't be the only one in the side at 38.
Rohit is currently 37 and will turn 38 (same as Ashwin) in April 2025 as the duo remain the eldest members of the side.
"I saw a graphic on the official broadcasting channel. They had put year-wise break-up and it ended with number 38. I am alone in that club. Then suddenly I saw Rohit, he was passing by. I asked him 'when is your birthday?'. He said it was coming. I am waiting for his birthday. Then we will be of the same age for sometime," said Ashwin in the same video.
During the Chennai Test, Ashwin scored a century and picked up a five-wicket haul in the same Test for the fourth time, behind only former England all-rounder Ian Botham's five.
The veteran all-rounder will be back in action when India look to complete the series whitewash in the second Test, starting at Kanpur on Friday, September 27.