Indian allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin said Sunday he wanted to keep playing well beyond his 38 years, even as younger teammates scale back their own cricket careers.
Ashwin claimed six wickets and scored 113 with the bat in his hometown of Chennai as India humbled Bangladesh by 280 runs inside four days of the opening test.
It was his 37th five-wicket haul to go equal with late Australian spin king Shane Warne, behind only Sri Lankan quick Muttiah Muralitharan's 67.
Ashwin spoke about the challenges of playing and performing at his age.
"It's not the same like when you are 25, 26, 30 or even 35. Thirty-eight is different," he told reporters.
"Every bit of work that you put, you have to put doubly hard to earn the right to be there," he added.
"I want to play as long as I can. Whatever I am today is because of the game and what it has given me. I am deeply indebted to that."
Ashwin said his age had compelled him to reduce his strength-training regime and find other ways to keep in shape.
"I work differently on my mobility and other aspects of life," he said. "Do a bit of yoga. It's good."
DIFFERENT APPROACH TO KOHLI AND SHARMA
India skipper Rohit Sharma, 35, and star batsman Virat Kohli are scaling back their careers despite being younger than Ashwin.
Both announced their Twenty20 retirement after winning the World Cup in June.
Ashwin has claimed 522 wickets in 101 tests.
He and fellow bowler Ravindra Jadeja – known as India's spin twins – shared nine wickets between them to bundle out Bangladesh for 234 in the tourists' chase of 515.
The two also shared a 199-run seventh-wicket stand to pull India out of trouble from 144-6 to 376 in the first innings.
Ashwin said the left-handed Jadeja, 35, was an inspiration to him.
"He is a rocket on the field. So I envy him. I am jealous of him but totally admire him," said Ashwin.
"I am comfortable in my skin but totally inspired by what he has done."
Ashwin entered the 500-wicket club in the 4-1 test win over England this year and also reached the milestone of 100 tests.
Jadeja is one away from 300 test wickets in 73 matches.