Ashwin reflects on WTC Final disappointment with record-breaking spell

West Indies v India, Scorecard

The No.1 ranked Test bowler in the world rebounded quickly from missing out on selection for the one-off World Test Championship Final against Australia when he ripped through the West Indies' batting line-up to register impressive figures of 5/60 that helped India to a dominant position after the opening day of the first Test in Dominica.

Ashwin got the key wicket of opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 12 early in his spell and then used his experience to pry four further scalps in an excellent return to the Test fold as the West Indies were skittled for just 150 in their opening Test of the new World Test Championship cycle.

While Ashwin revealed he was still disappointed to have missed out on playing in the World Test Championship Final last month, he said it was important he moved on quickly and showed he was still a force to be reckoned with at Test level.

"As a cricketer when you have a shot at a WTC Final and to sit out is fine. For me, it was how do I respond and how do I make sure the dressing room is up and about," Ashwin said after India reached 80/0 at stumps on day one.

"Winning the WTC Final is the most important thing and it could have been a very high point in my career and I could have played a good role in it, but it was just unfortunate that it didn’t pan out and the first day left us too far behind in the shed.

"But what is the difference between me and another person that is going to sulk (about being dropped). All I would like to give my teammates and India cricket as a whole is some understanding and my best efforts on the field and that is where I would like to leave it."

Ashwin's latest heroics against the West Indies now means he has 33 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket over his long and distinguished career - the most of any current player - with his efforts in the Caribbean taking the right-armer past England veteran James Anderson and into sixth place on the overall list.

But Ashwin played down the record-breaking haul and said the only thing that matters for him now in the twilight of his career is helping his team to success on the field.

"Rahul bhai (India coach Rahul Dravid) always says it's not the wickets or the runs that you remember," Ashwin said.

"The first time I met him as coach he made a statement and he said 'it's not about how many runs you make and how many wickets you take, as you will forget about all of them and it is the great memories that you create as a team that will stick with you'.

"And I am totally behind that. I don’t know if he has brainwashed me to do that, but from my point of view I definitely think I have got a lot of gratitude and am very grateful for the journey and what the game has given me."

And while Ashwin's journey thus far has had its fair share of ups and downs, the experienced spinner said it has been the various lows he has experienced that have helped him stay at the top of his game and perform well for a prolonged period.

"There is no cricketer or human being in this world that has gone through the highs without the lows," Ashwin explained.

"When you have lows it gives you opportunity. You can either sulk, talk about it or complain about it and go along with it and go down, or you learn from it and I am someone who has constantly learned from my lows.

"The best thing that will happen today after this good day that I have had, is that I will have a good meal and a good talk to my family and go to bed and forget about it.

"When you have a good day you know you have had a good day, but there are days you can work hard and get better for tomorrow.

"It is not a journey that has been very easy, so for me the journey has been draining but I am very thankful for all the lows that have come my way also because without the lows there are no highs in your life."