IND v SA | For me, it was about finding joy for the game in my heart, says Ravichandran Ashwin

Ever since July 2017, the 33-year-old has been playing only one format for India — Test cricket. But, after he got injured after the first Test in Australia last December, the management turned to a younger option like Kuldeep Yadav. Being one of the best spinners ever to be produced from the country, this was a tough blow for Ashwin.

After regaining his fitness, Ashwin struggled to make it back into the squad, and even when he did — as in the squad that toured West Indies last month — he did not make it to the playing XI. But the senior pro battled on, playing as many County, TNPL, and league matches in Chennai as possible. So, on his return to the team, bagging a five-fer against South Africa on home soil, was the perfect return. 

"For me, it is about playing the game and I have realised that the joy of the game has to be back in my heart. I made sure that I enjoy the game wherever I go and play. That I thought to an extent was quite visible when I played yesterday," Ashwin told PTI.

"To stay away from cricket itself was very tough for me. I am elated to be back. There is nothing like picking up a five-wicket haul for your country. This place is very special for me but I enjoyed a five-wicket haul for Nottingham too. One is not too lesser than the other," Ashwin said.

After India posted a mammoth first innings score of 502 for seven at Vizag, Ashwin rattled the Proteas late on day two to have them struggling at 39 for three. But day three would prove to be much more difficult as the senior South African batsmen set out with gusto. Dean Elgar (160) and Quinton de Kock (110) smashed centuries, while skipper Faf du Plessis looked in fine form before he was dismissed for 55. Late in the day, however, Ashwin led a fightback of sorts — picking up his 27th five-wicket haul in Tests — as South Africa reached 385 for eight at stumps.

"It is a proper Test match pitch. You expect two teams to bat well, don't you? I thought they batted really well. Whenever the ball spun, it spun from far distances not from the normal length,” he said.

"We might have given them a few too many runs in the morning session which probably gave them the momentum. You expect a good side to play the way they did. So credit has to be given where it needs to be given. We came back in the back half of the day. That is how Test cricket is supposed to be," Ashwin added.

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