Kumble effect working, Ashwin bags 3rd Test hundred

Antigua, July 23: R Ashwin has expressed his sincere thanks to Anil Kumble and Vira Kholi for promoting him to bat in the top seven.

“I’ve always wanted to bat in the top seven for the Indian team, which is a long-time goal. I need to thank Anil Kumble and Virat for having the confidence in me to be pushed at number six. There have been times in the past when I’ve played really well and haven’t really got the promotion. This really says a whole lot of things about me.” he said.

This change is a clear indication of Kumble effect, which Indian cricket fans can witness more in the balance test days.

Ashwin (113 off 253) scored his third Test century, as he along with skipper Virat Kohli took India to 566 for eight declared on day two of the first Test against the West Indies

“Kohli called me in the morning and said ‘you’ll be batting at six, ahead of Saha’, which is a big boost to my batting confidence. I had worked on it over the past one month in Chennai with my coach and I’m very happy with the way it’s come out,” Ashwin added.

“I think it’s a good batting wicket and you’ll have to earn every wicket. You’ll have to prise them out. Kraigg Brathwaite and the likes of Darren Bravo…they bat pretty deep as well. We’ll have to prise each and every wicket and see if we can actually go the distance and maintain the intensity for every hour.”

“From here on, we have posted a score and we need to get them out twice. It’s about trying and retaining the intensity and going after every wicket time after time. I bowled a few overs, it looks like there might be a little bit of grip but it’s a long process,” Ashwin signed off.