Was more like 'cat on a hot tin roof' when I last toured Sri Lanka: R Ashwin

Galle, July 24: India's spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin, who will be leading team's attack against Sri Lanka, in the upcoming first Test between on Wednesday (July 26), feels he has matured a lot from the last time he toured the island nation.

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In an interaction with the media persons ahead of the practice session at Galle, the tall Tamil Nadu bowler feels he has evolved as a cricketer and become calmer.

Was more like 'cat on a hot tin roof' when I last toured Sri Lanka: R Ashwin — File photo: R Ashwin

"For starters, I am a lot more calmer I would say than what I was when I came here last time. I think, I was more like cat on a hot tin roof. I was looking forward to perform desperately because sometimes (like is said) my performance needs to be that much better for me to get anywhere in my career... I have always lived that way."

"It's kind of changed me over a period of time, I do take things in a stride, yes failing, bad days and ordinary days and mediocre days are a part of a cricketer's career. But as I told you it's very important to learn from that failure and try and get better. I think i became a far better cricketer than I came here in 2015," the 30-year-old asserted further.

Test at Galle will be a milestone match for the off-spinner for he will be coming out to play in India whites for the 50th occasion.

When asked about the 50th Test match that he's going to play in his career the off-spinner said it's like a dream come true. Ashwin was recalled into the Indian squad ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka in 2015 and he has never looked back ever since.

"To come back to a place where I did really well last time in 2015. It's like a dream come true because it was some sort of a momentous occasion for me as I was on the way back into the Test side and I got a ten-for... It brings back a lot of good memories coming back to the same venue. 50th Test is something that's come about.. I am very grateful for having got here and I think every Test match is a blessing from here on," he added further.

Team India last visited Sri Lanka in 2015 when they won the series 2-1 under the leadership of skipper Virat Kohli. It was Kohli's first Test assignment as a full time captain and Ashwin played a crucial part.

"In 2015 we were in the middle of leadership take over as Virat had just taken over in Australia. Then we came here after having played one Test match against Bangladesh. having said that, we had set a lot of goals for each other and I would say we have achieved a lot of them with flying colours over the last couple of days as a group, as a team.

"We have produced a lot of good cricketers. Some young guys have come in and put their hands up and some of the other guys have excelled very well that includes me, Jadeja, Pujara. From there on a lot of people have put their hands up and we have kind of become a very good unit. Sometimes, I feel good cricketers lose out in this particular team because of the quality we have in the dressing room," he said.

Talking about team's new head Ravi Shastri, who was the team director back then, and his role now the off-spinner said the former India all-rounder brings a lot of positive energy in the side.

"We well past that moment. the decision has beeen made and the decision is definitely something on which I can't comment on. Ravi (Shastri) bhai has been fabulous person in the dressing room. Last time, he was here in Galle and we lost the Test and he really picked all of us from that low point on our careers and he is someone who can have a positive influence in the dressing room. We are looking forward to working together."

"I would say yes because the amount of pressure that is put on not only within the team but outside, external factor and this is an excellent Indian team. If you see teams around the world, the players do get an extended run. The youngsters get extended run to play than in India and that's simply because we do have some excellent cricketers sitting outside as well," Ashwin added.

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