I always value myself as an all-rounder Says Ravichandran Ashwin

Antigua, July 25 (CRICKETNMORE): It was Ravichandran Ashwin's efforts with both the bat and ball which helped India secure their biggest win outside the sub-continent and the Chennai spinner said he values himself as an all-rounder. The Great Chase by team India against West Indies.

India on Sunday beat the West Indies in the first Test by an innings and 92 runs, with Ashwin picking up figures of 7/83.

Earlier, while batting in the first innings he had scored a brilliant 113 off 253 deliveries.

"I always value myself as an all-rounder," Ashwin told bcci.tv.

"Not like I don't look at myself that way. Batting at six, there is always that many opportunities to score a hundred than when you are batting at eight. So, I have started off well on that note. Batting at No.6, I have managed a five-for as well. I just hope I can go from strength to strength from here."

The 29-year-old, who was awarded the man-of-the-match, said it was captain Virat Kohli who sent him to bat at No.6 ahead of wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha. 

"Batting at No.6 was a complete surprise for me, Virat (Kohli) told me in the morning of the game that I would be batting at six, and I really liked what he said. Kumar Sangakkara picks his all-time playing eleven.

"He said: 'We trust you, and we want you to bat at six and see how it goes'. I wanted to give something back to the team, and show that I was good batting at No.6," Ashwin said.

On the first day, Ashwin came out to bat with India at 236/4 and then had a big partnership of 168 runs with Kohli till next day's lunch.

"I wanted to lend some solidity," he said. "It was quite a tiring innings because I played about 250 balls, and after that to come out and exhibit how I could bowl after a tired innings. I was very pleased with that."

Ashwin was pleased his first five-for outside Asia too, after having made his debut against the West Indies in 2011.

"It has taken more than five years for me to repeat it (take a five-for) outside the sub-continent," he said. "That is something I wanted to break: getting a five-wicket haul away from Asia. That is something I worked earnestly towards and was very pleased for myself."

Ashwin also praised coach Anil Kumble for his inputs during the match. 

"In the second innings, I was constantly in touch with Anil bhai also about what is the right speeds to be bowling," Ashwin said.

"We were constantly in touch through different occasions of the game. I went wicketless for the first 25-26 overs I bowled in the match, and in the past it would have definitely troubled me. I am someone who likes to keep getting wickets."

"I kept on speaking to him about what I was doing right and what I was not doing right. He felt my body was not going through well yesterday because I was a little tired," he added.

"Also, he told I had to slow down at the crease, gave me different ideas about what lines to bowl to batsmen."