Antigua, July 25 :Describing himself as an `all-rounder`, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has admitted that he is quite pleased with his overall contribution with both bat and ball that guided his side to an emphatic win by an innings and 92 runs against West Indies in the opening Test here at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium last evening.
"I have always valued myself as an all rounder. Batting at number six, there is always more opportunity to score 100 than you batting down at eight. So, I have started off really well on that note. Batting at number six, I managed to get fifer also. I think it's taken five years for me to repeat it outside the subcontinent. And that is something I have always wanted to break. So, getting a five-wicket haul away from Asia, that is something I have worked earnestly towards, and I am very pleased for myself," Ashwin said after his side's biggest win outside the subcontinent.
Ashwin was adjudged `Man of the match` for contributing 113 runs and seven wickets overall for India as the Caribbean side struggled to build partnership before eventually bundling out for 231 in their second innings on the fourth day.
Admitting that it was quite surprising for him to bat at number six, the 29-year-old said he wanted to contribute well in order to return the trust that the captain and the entire team had put in him.
"For me, the most important thing coming into the series was getting a five-wicket haul and to be batting at number six, it was a complete surprise for me.
Virat Kohli told me in the morning of the game that I would be batting at six. I really liked what he said. He said we trust you and we want you to bat at six. I wanted to give something back to the team. I wanted to show that I am good at batting at number six. I wanted to lend some solidity," he added. Kohli smashed his maiden double century while Ashwin hammered his third Test century to set up India's declaration of 566 for eight against West Indies.
In the process, the prolific batsman also became the first Indian captain to score a Test double-century away from home.
India, which is bidding to clinch third consecutive series whitewash against the Caribbean side, have now taken a one-nil lead in the four-match series.
The two sides will play the second match at Sabina Park in Jamaica from July 30..
