Ashwin back-tracked from first slip to pouch David Warner's top-edge on Thursday and later timed his jump to perfection to grab a two-handed, over-the-head catch to send back Shaun Marsh on day two of the second test at the Gabba.
"When you tour overseas a lot, there is not so much bowling to do, so I look to contribute to the team in other ways," the 28-year-old spinner told reporters after Australia finished the day on 221-4.
"One of those ways is with the bat and the other is slip catching.
"With Rahul Dravid and Laxman having left the team, slip catching is somewhat iffy for us. To work on it is not an easy deal because it was a senior slip cordon they left," said Ashwin, who scored 35 before returning to dismiss Shane Watson.
"Slip catching is all about perception, you can't just go in there and start taking catches, you have to be really patient and put your yards in.
"I think I've taken about a thousand catches this year so happy to get one."
India, who trail the four-match series 1-0, began the day on a strong 311-4 but were eventually bowled out for 408. Ashwin, who has two test centuries to his name, felt he could have scored more.
"We could have made a few more runs, I'm still disappointed about how I got out in the morning.
"I thought I batted really well and I'm really disappointed that I gave my wicket away," said Ashwin, who added 57 runs for the seventh wicket with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
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