India's renowned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin disclosed that the team contemplated forfeiting an innings after rain and a wet outfield caused the loss of over two days of play in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Despite the challenges that jeopardized their chances of securing a win, India delivered a captivating performance driven by fearlessness. Once the conditions permitted the game to resume, Bangladesh restarted their innings at 107/3 on Day 4. With two days remaining and India resolute on pushing for a result, discussions arose within the team to forfeit the innings.
From the initially gloomy and overcast conditions, the sun began to shine on the final two days of the second Test. Considering the improved weather, the idea of forfeiting soon faded as the bowlers worked tirelessly to take wickets under intense heat. "Yes, we discussed it (forfeiting an innings). We were contemplating whether we should forfeit an innings, but the heat was overwhelming. These are tough conditions—sweating heavily, I had to change shirts four times in a day, and it still wasn't sufficient," Ashwin remarked.
The conditions were particularly grueling for the fast bowlers, and even the spinners found it exhausting. If they had managed to dismiss Bangladesh for another 200 runs, it would have required spending five sessions on the field, which would have been demanding for the batters as well. Hence, the decision was made to bat and aggressively target the bowling.
Following India's successful series sweep over Bangladesh, Ashwin was honored as the Player of the Series, marking his 11th such accolade in Test cricket. This achievement placed him on par with Sri Lanka's legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who also earned 11 Player of the Series awards during his illustrious career. However, Ashwin is not inclined to compare himself with Muralitharan. For him, his exceptional performance is a reflection of the joy he brings to the game in pursuit of India's success.
"I'm not comparing myself with him (Muralitharan). It's a significant milestone, and I'm delighted. Ultimately, you're playing a sport you love, and it's rewarding to take something positive from it. These numbers are a result of the joy I invest in the game. I love my game, and these accolades are just by-products. While I'm pleased, they don't drive me anymore," he stated.
