Remodelled Ashwin's seven-star effort

India's ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed the secret to his success in the series opener against England at Edgbaston.  

Ashwin, who returned figures of 4-62 and 3-59 in India's 31-run first Test defeat, revealed his form was the result of a year of hard work.

The 31-year-old's match figures of 7-121 are his best in 16 Tests outside Asia, narrowly eclipsing the 7-126 he took against West Indies at North Sound in 2016.

"Over the last 12 months, I have been working on simplifying my action; make sure I can get more body into the ball and hence, create something in the air," he told BCCI.tv.

"Doing the batsmen in the air is something I have consciously worked upon."

Ashwin has a stunning record of 225 wickets at 22.79 from 36 Tests on home soil, but the knock on the off-spinner has always been his ability to perform outside Asia.

Ahead of the first Test in Birmingham, many predicted left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav would usurp his older counterpart for the lone spinner's spot in India's XI.

However, the selectors kept the faith in Ashwin, who duly repaid it with a starring performance, and he was quick to cite his remodeled action as a big reason for the success.

"When you are trying to do it, the body simply gives up – you are a touch short or long," he added.

"A lot of bad habits creep up, like the arms coming in. I had to work against my own will."

The second Test of the five-match series begins on Thursday at Lord's. England are expected to be without allrounder Ben Stokes, who is on trial in Bristol after being charged with affray.