Chennai: The raging topic in Indian cricket is the yo-yo fitness test, which has become a decisive factor for selection. While a few former players have criticised the team management for making the fitness test mandatory, the men who matter — coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli — have made it clear that yo-yo is here to stay.
India off-spinner R. Ashwin on Wednesday refrained from commenting whether the controversial test was needed in cricket, but suggested that it wasn’t tough to clear.
“I passed my engineering exams, so yo-yo was’t that tough for me,” Ashwin said tongue-in-cheek.
Ashwin who has been out of the limited-overs side since last June said the desire to wear the India blue still burned deep within. “It entirely depends on what other people perceive of my cricket. And it’s definitely not in my control.
“Like any other cricketer, I want to wear the blue jersey and represent India at the World Cup. That’s obviously there deep within. However, at this stage of my career, physically and mentally, I am just focusing on enjoying cricket. If I land an opportunity, I want to be in a good frame of mind to take it with both hands,” he said.
Ashwin said India have a “great chance of winning” the Test series against England. “Our performance over the last few years is nothing short of exemplary. It’s going to be an extraordinary series. Playing white ball cricket before Test will surely help in preparation,” he added.
Former India coach Anil Kumble recently said that spinners would have a role to play in the five Tests as they fall in the second half of the English summer when conditions are expected to be a lot easier. Ashwin though, begged to differ.
“Be it in August or September, it never seizes to amaze me how England weather changes all the time. I don’t think that will turn out to be the factor. The point is that our fast bowlers have done really well in South Africa. We always fancy our chances as we have a strong bowling unit. In the second innings, spinners are always going to come into play. I just want to go there and enjoy my cricket. I don’t want to think beyond that as I have zero expectations,” he added.
Ashwin also said that he could play county cricket again for Worcestershire after the Test series. “The deal couldn’t really go through earlier because of the Afghanistan Test and the domestic T20 in England.
