“There are a lot of people to thank for this wonderful achievement I have made. It has been a great couple of years but this year has been even more special. What is very noticeable is the way I have bowled and batted and the way I have gone about doing my business. What is more important, as far as I am concerned, is the number of people who have gone behind my success,” he was quoted as saying in the ICC press release.
Ashwin, who is suitably ranked as the No.1 bowler in the world presently, has played an integral role in India’s transformation in the Test format especially under new captain Virat Kohli, where they have won five successive series, home and away. And Ashwin made it a point to credit his success to his team.
“I’d like to dedicate this award to my family. I’d like to thank ICC and most importantly my team-mates. I’d also like to thank the support staff for our success. We’ve had a great transition ever since Mahendra Singh Dhoni hung up his boots. A young captain has taken over, we fell on the right track, and we now have a new bunch of boys,” he said.
Later in a media release, Ashwin also thanked coach Anil Kumble for ‘pushing’ him to give his best. While he finished with six five-wicket hauls, he rated his 7/83 against the West Indies in Antigua as his best performance. India won that Test by an innings and 92 runs. The ‘most satisfying moment’, according to him, was the 118 he scored in St Lucia after having walked in to bat with India on the mat at 126/5. Ashwin shared a record partnership of 213 with Wriddhiman Saha to script a 237-run win that sealed the series in the Caribbean.
“It’s a bit overwhelming and it is yet to sink in completely. At the same time I was expecting to land one but to end up with two awards was extremely special. To be bracketed alongside Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar is indeed a matter of great pride,” the release said.
