The three practice nets at the beautiful Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad almost wore a deserted look as the last rays of the evening sun began to fade. India’s first practice session on Monday was drawing to a close but there was no dearth of activity in the first net where two masters of spin were testing the loop and subsequent turn. Back after a break, R Ashwin did not stop for a break and kept pushing himself hard in the nets with Head Coach Anil Kumble keeping a close watch. The recipient of the ICC’s Cricketer of the Year award and also the Test Cricketer of the Year 2016, was getting ready for the first Test of 2017 – against the visiting Bangladesh from Thursday. While countering Ashwin’s guile is now seen as the biggest challenge, his phenomenal record in Hyderabad should dent the confidence of a visiting batsman. At this big ground, Ashwin averages an impressive 10.50 with 18 wickets in two matches. We caught up with the ace spinner after his marathon training session to get an insight into his preparation drills. You were rested for the T20 series against England. How important was the break considering it is a long home season. How did you utilize it? I had Athletic pubalgia (sports hernia) and I have managed that since the series against England. I needed the break to recoup before the Test series. The break was about rehab, about training and doing active recovery. It basically occupied most of my time. It was all about getting ready for the Test series. It Is very important to get back to your drawing room and do things that help you relax before an important series. These series can be exhaustive both mentally and physically. It is crucial to recharge your batteries. In one of the earlier chats, you spoke about your routines on the morning of a Test. How do you prepare for a Test? Is it about analyzing your opponents, getting your rhythm and finding out ways to trouble them? It is a combination of getting your rhythm and analyzing opponents. It is about the recent run-scoring pattern of a batsman or a pattern of his dismissals. In the first couple of days, I look to get back into the rhythm. I try and tick every box that I want to in terms of where my action needs to be. It is also about getting used to the bounce if it is possible. Today (Monday), in the practice, I was not getting bounce on the practice wickets, but from my past experiences I know it bounces more on the center wicket. So, I try and adjust to different conditions. You have three five-wicket hauls in four innings at this venue and you also picked your maiden 10-wicket haul in a match here. Are you happy to be back here? This is a very good venue not just because of my happy memories, but also because of the entire facility. It has a lush green outfield and it is a big ground for a spinner. You can toss the ball a little bit more over here. There is a bit of hold and bounce in the wicket, so it gives you allowance to try and be imaginative on this ground. I enjoy bowling here, but this is going to be a fresh game and I need to start afresh. In your only Test against Bangladesh, you picked a five-for. It was your first five-wicket haul outside India. How do you see Bangladesh as opponents? That spell in Fatullah (5/87) was unbelievable. It was one heck of a spell. The ball was coming out of my hand like a dream. If I can repeat that here in Hyderabad against them, it will be fantastic. Bangladesh are a quality side. They have played some fantastic cricket. They are coming from New Zealand. We know playing New Zealand is not easy and they put up some stellar performances against them. They are a side on the rise, so we cannot take them lightly. We have to follow our routines and do the same thing again and again in a Test match scenario because Test cricket can sort you out quickly.