Often criticised for not delivering overseas, Indian off-spinner R Ashwin says he came of age during the most recent tour of Australia and it won't be long before his wicket-count goes up abroad.
Ashwin picked up 12 wickets at an average of 48.66 in the four-match series but insisted that it was a decent effort as the wickets Down Under are not particularly conducive for spinners.
"To say it (performance overseas) will get better by the time I'm done, is not how I look at this game. I think I came of age when I played in Australia this time. More than anything else, I think I created a lot of wicket-taking opportunities and put a lot of pressure on the batsman," Ashwin told ESPNCricinfo.
"To bowl 30 overs in a day in Australia is a really commendable effort for a spinner in my knowledge. Over the last year, my bowling has come a long way.
"If you asked me, would you take 25 wickets more or how you are bowling right now, I would say I will take how I am bowling right now because I know the wickets are round the corner," he said.
Ashwin has been fairly consistent on sub-continental assignments, grabbing 100 wickets from 16 Tests at an average of 23.87. However, he has 24 wickets in 9 Tests abroad at an average of 56.58.
"I might end up getting six wickets in Australia one day and I might say that is where I wanted to be. I played a Test match in South Africa and played a couple in England.
"If I play a Test in India, I might end up picking five wickets immediately but it might happen in the third or fourth Test in England or South Africa. It hasn't happened but might happen soon," he asserted.
Ashwin said he wants to be an important factor in the team's performances outside the sub-continent.
"Maybe that is what was needed for me to become a better bowler. I firmly believe that was fate because until then I had played 18 Test matches without a lot of bad games.
"When you go abroad, if everybody plays (their) role to perfection, the role of a spinner is much easier. Having said that, I should take greater responsibility on myself.
"I want to emulate a lot of things that the past greats have done. I'd be happier if I had won more games for India," he said.
