Ashwin finds a new level in SL

COLOMBO: Conventional is boring for R Ashwin, understandable for a bowler who made his mark in Twenty20 cricket. Satisfaction, he says, does not come just by taking wickets, but by constantly searching for that something extra.

But Ashwin felt the heat as his bowling was dissected by everyone. He spent most of the time explaining what he was trying to do. Lack of away success breeded criticism, Some of his overseas struggles, be it Australia 2011-12 or South Africa 2013 didn’t help.

But he is rapidly winning the battle, doing things his way with a newfound aggression. Ashwin (17 wickets) has already bettered Harbhajan’s record haul in a Sri Lanka series (16).

His variations have stung the batsmen, but the search for a counter has hit a wall as he has outthought the opposition. Skipper Virat Kohli acknowledged that. “He’s been a champion bowler for us. He wants to improve on his cricket and has certainly done that. Even in his mindset, he’s bowling in a more aggressive manner. It’s almost impossible to get him away.”

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews added: “He is just getting the basics right, turning the ball and creating a lot of pressure. He bowls pretty accurate…We need to find out a way to counter-attack him.”

The Kookaburra ball doesn’t help spinners once it gets old, but Ashwin has struck with the new ball as well. Sangakkara, dismissed by Ashwin in all four innings, said: “We talked about going down the wicket, trying to sweep but those are plans you have to execute in the first innings, when you try and get ahead. But he has the weapons to counterattack. When someone starts sweeping, you will see him bowl a bit quicker, fuller and straighter. When it turns, you will see him vary his pace and try to get it straighter. He seems to be thinking all the time. So, it is a great challenge to play against him.”