R Ashwin gets Arjuna Award, targets Lanka

India off-spinner R Ashwin is not too worried about the presence of senior pros Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra in the 15-man squad for the three-Test tour of Sri Lanka later this month.

"Pressure is not something that is a factor for me. We are used to it all the time. I want to go there and get used to the conditions. I just want to enjoy my game and get as many wickets as possible. The ball is coming out nicely, so looking forward to the series," Ashwin told reporters after receiving the Arjuna Award from Union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal here on Friday.

Ashwin, who registered a five-wicket haul in the one-off Test against Bangladesh in June, said he is confident about playing a key role on the spin-friendly Lankan pitches. Ashwin's record in the sub-continent is impressive. He has taken 100 wickets in 16 Tests in Asia, but his performance in overseas Tests has been dismal (24 wickets in nine Tests).

"It's a great honour and privilege to get the award. It will definitely spur me to do well in the future. My journey has been pretty good so far. I hope I serve the country in a better fashion and get more awards," he added.

However, Ashwin was not comfortable about a question relating to the future of his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Chennai Super Kings. "You tell me the road map and I'll use it. I don't know what to say," he said.