IND vs BAN: How 38-year-old R Ashwin prepared for long and tough Test season

At 38, R Ashwin's approach to preparing for a long and demanding season has changed from what it was a decade ago, with the veteran spinner acknowledging that he now focuses on taking one match at a time, rather than looking at the entire season as a whole.

In Short

• R Ashwin reveals his fitness routine for 'tough' long season
• India will play eight more Tests till June, 2025
• Ashwin says it is more about taking one match at a time

At 38, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has adopted a more measured approach as he prepares for a demanding season extending until June 2025, including nine Test matches and a potential World Test Championship Final. In a press conference after the first Test against Bangladesh, Ashwin admitted that his training has evolved, now focusing on one match at a time, a contrast to his mindset from a decade ago when he viewed the entire season in a single frame.

“Like you rightly said, it's a long season. It's tough. Sometimes when you look so far ahead, it can be quite difficult. You're playing like 3-4 months of cricket and 10 Test matches," Ashwin said. "But sometimes you can't think like that. You have to stack it up, take it one match at a time. I did put in a bit of work getting into it, and I need to have some reserves in the tank."

The Chennai native emphasized the importance of maintaining physical fitness and conditioning himself for the season's rigorous demands. His current approach includes making the most of the breaks between matches or series, using that time to stay in peak condition.

Chennai Test, Day 4: Highlights | Report

"There are good breaks between games. Hopefully, we'll get small windows for me to keep ironing out fitness issues. More than skill, I think it's about physically being able to go through the season, which is of the utmost importance for me," Ashwin remarked.

Having tweaked his fitness routine to accommodate the toll that age takes on the body, Ashwin shared insights into how his training has evolved over the years. His focus has shifted from strength training to mobility and other holistic approaches, such as yoga, to maintain his form and longevity.

"38 is different from 35," Ashwin acknowledged. "Every bit of work you put in, you have to do doubly hard to earn the right to be there. I've reduced my strength training sessions. I work differently on mobility and other aspects of life. I do a bit of yoga. It's good."

Ashwin's readiness was reflected in his performances, as he continues to be a vital cog in India’s Test setup. He knows the road ahead will be demanding, but the veteran spinner is determined to rise to the challenge.

The off-spinner also took time to commend teammate Rishabh Pant, who marked his return to Test cricket with a century, after being absent from the format since 2022.

"I don't think Rishabh's form or ability was ever going to be in question at all," Ashwin said of the young wicketkeeper-batsman. "The way he's come back and put himself on the field is quite miraculous. There was no pressure on him. He's entertaining and only going to get better. He's always had the backing of the team."

With Ashwin continuing to fine-tune his preparation and players like Pant stepping up, India's Test squad looks poised for the season ahead, with a long stretch of matches that will test their endurance, skill, and resolve.