5 best quotes from Ravichandran Ashwin's recent interview 

Ravichandran Ashwin will be remembered as among the greatest match-winners for India in Test cricket. His off-spin coupled with capable batting skills helped the Indian team rule the red-ball cricket for a long time.

Ashwin announced a shocking international retirement after the third Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test in Gabba on December 18. He ended with a total of 765 wickets and 4,394 runs in 287 appearances across all formats for the Men in Blue.

The 38-year-old stands second in terms of highest Test wicket-takers for India with 537 scalps in 132 games. Only Anil Kumble has picked more wickets than Ashwin in the longest format for India.

Following his retirement, Ravichandran Ashwin interacted with former England cricketers Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. Below are the five best quotes from Ashwin during their interaction.

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#1 Ashwin on his depth of knowledge about cricket

During the conversation, Nasser Hussain pointed out that Ravichandran Ashwin started his domestic career as a batter, but had to work hard to become an established off-spinner.

On being asked whether everything he achieved in cricket demanded serious effort, Ashwin said:

"The amount of exploration I have had to do to be very successful has left me with a wide variety of knowledge to be able to say, with confidence, that this is a game I love and can explore and brutally talk about for the rest of my life." [20:00 onwards]

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#2 Love for Test cricket

Although Ashwin thinks he achieved everything the hard way, he was glad that Test cricket found him and gave him meaning in life. The former Indian spinner said he learned every single day while playing in the longest format.

"I've played Test cricket for so long it's even taught me how to construct and live my life. It's the most beautiful thing that has happened for me." [20:45 onwards]

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#3 Ashwin speaks about 'elevating factors' of his life

Michael Atherton asked Ravichandran Ashwin whether he was satisfied after finishing as the seventh-highest Test wicket-taker of all-time. Further, he wanted to know whether there was any specific reason why he suddenly chose to retire.

In response, the 38-year-old said he felt it was the right time to call it quits. The right-arm spinner also pointed out that he would soon be eighth on the list after Nathan Lyon (533) surpassed him. He said:

"I've never been a person who holds onto things, I've never felt insecure in life. I don't believe what is mine today is going to be mine tomorrow. That has probably been one of my elevating factors all these years." [3:40 onwards]

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#4 Ravichandran Ashwin's POV on wicket-taking

Michael Atherton asked Ravichandran Ashwin how he achieved success despite people doubting him due to the lack of variations when he entered international cricket in 2011.

In response, Ashwin claimed that it took special skill to secure breakthroughs for your side. He stated:

"Off-spin bowling is one thing and wicket-taking is completely different skill. Anil Kumble once mentioned that it's not the skills, but it's the pressure which gets you the wickets.

"Getting a wicket and picking a wicket are completely two different things. You don't get wickets. Wickets don't happen, you need to make that happen." [25:50 onwards]

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#5 How Ashwin's mother kept him motivated despite an early injury

Ravichandran Ashwin recalled the time when he was just 13 years old and sustained a hip injury. On the same day, he was dropped from the state team, which made him reconsider his future.

Ashwin's mother inspired him to dedicate his all to cricket and assured him that the rest would be taken care of by his parents. Ashwin revealed what his mother told him in the interview:

"You know whatever happens, yes are we not the most privileged but I'll make sure that I slog my a*s off and make sure that you have some money to live with even if you think you're a failure in life. I didn't get the opportunity to live the way I wanted but I want you to at least tomorrow tell your children that your parents supported you in the dream that you had." [13:10 onwards]

Ashwin also revealed that it was his mother who suggested he take up spin bowling.

Check out the whole conversation below: