R Ashwin Reflects on Pivotal 2012 England Series: ‘It Set Me on the Path to Excellence’

Ashwin recalls how Kevin Pietersen’s aggressive batting exposed his flaws and pushed him to redefine his bowling approach.

New Delhi, December 24: In a heartfelt reflection following his recent retirement from international cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin revisited a defining moment in his cricketing journey—the 2012 Test series against England. It was a series where Ashwin not only faced challenges but also found the inspiration to evolve into one of the most successful off-spinners in cricket history.

During an appearance on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Ashwin candidly discussed how the second Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium became a turning point in his career.

“I have one regret in life. I know Kevin Pietersen is a very proud man, and he often talks about how he took us down in Mumbai. But those early setbacks in my career were crucial—they put me on the path to excellence,” Ashwin shared.

The Series That Changed Everything

The Wankhede Test saw Ashwin finish with figures of 2-145, as Kevin Pietersen smashed a brilliant 186 to lead England to a 10-wicket victory. The loss was part of a larger narrative, with England eventually claiming a historic 2-1 series win on Indian soil.

For Ashwin, the series revealed a glaring flaw in his bowling alignment, which prevented him from hitting the right lengths consistently.

“In that particular series against KP and Alastair Cook—one of the finest batters I’ve bowled to—my alignments were so off. My left leg was going so far out that I wasn’t able to get my length right at all,” Ashwin admitted.

A Turning Point in Ashwin’s Career

Rather than being disheartened, Ashwin took the lessons from the 2012 series to heart.

“For the rest of my career, ever since 2012, it was all about finding different solutions. I’m very grateful for the series going that way because if it hadn’t happened, I might not have set myself on the path to excel as a bowler,” he explained.

Ashwin also shared his mindset when facing batters like Pietersen in later encounters.

“I wanted to take on KP every single time after that. He’s a wonderful batter, but anyone without a sound defence was someone I fancied because I’m good at picking up patterns—players who step out, players who sweep,” he said.

A Legacy of Adaptation and Excellence

The revelations from the 2012 series helped Ashwin refine his craft, turning him into one of India’s most reliable match-winners across formats.

With 537 Test wickets, numerous match-winning spells, and a reputation for being one of the sharpest cricketing minds, Ashwin’s journey serves as a testament to his determination, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

His ability to turn setbacks into stepping stones is a story that will inspire generations of cricketers.

“To excel as a bowler, it’s very internal rather than external. That series taught me that lesson,” Ashwin concluded.

As cricket fans bid farewell to Ravichandran Ashwin’s illustrious international career, moments like the 2012 England series will forever stand as milestones in his journey to greatness.