New Delhi: Renowned for his towering presence and remarkable versatility, Ravi Ashwin has consistently confounded batsmen with his skillful carrom balls. As he approaches the twilight of an illustrious career, the right-arm off-spinner has already bid farewell to white-ball cricket, focusing solely on Test cricket—the longest format of the game. Given Ashwin’s advancing age, many wonder just how much longer the Indian off-spinner can continue to be a linchpin in the Indian bowling attack.

At 37 years old, Ashwin presents a different narrative about his cricketing future. He remains optimistic, steadfast in his belief that he still has much to contribute to the sport he loves.

“There is nothing like that in my mind,” Ashwin asserts. “I am only thinking about one day at a time because when you get older, you have to put in extra effort every single day. It’s not the same. I have put in a lot of effort in the last 3-4 years. I haven’t decided on retirement, but the day I feel that today I don’t want to improve, I will leave. That’s all.”

When probed about his retirement plans, Ashwin cheekily remarked that he would consider hanging up his boots only when his passion for cricket wanes. Until that day comes, Ashwin remains a crucial element of India’s spin arsenal.

India’s pitches, known for their dusty surfaces and spin-friendly conditions, provide an ideal stage for Ashwin’s expertise. His vast experience and strategic acumen will undoubtedly be invaluable for the Indian team.

The current squad featuring Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal is poised to leverage Ashwin’s seasoned prowess. As one of the stalwarts of the spin department, Ashwin’s contributions are expected to be pivotal in India’s cricketing campaigns.

In essence, while Ravi Ashwin’s career may be inching towards its latter stages, his commitment to improving every day ensures that he remains a formidable force in Test cricket for the foreseeable future.