Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to make a comeback after a brief break following the 2023 World Cup Final loss in the upcoming two-match Test series in South Africa.
Ashwin is very close to reaching the milestone of 500 Test wickets with 489 scalps to his name and is anticipated to play in at least one game in the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, starting with the Boxing Day Test on December 26 in Centurion.
Ahead of the series-opening Test in Centurion, Ashwin shared insights into his preparation for the South Africa tour, mentioning that he envisions different scenarios against batters. As one of the finest red-ball spinners in history, Ashwin said that he's entering the Test series well-practiced.
R Ashwin said in his latest YouTube video: “When it comes to right-handers, I have to imagine bowling to Markram or Bavuma on the crease. It is immaterial how I bowl to Shubman Gill or Shreyas Iyer. So, angling in, a quick one on the straighter lengths.
A slower length outside off to Shreyas for him to defend. And a little faster ball later to gauge what shot they are playing and to check if they are able to catch the drift. I’ve bowled a lot on the old ball now. That is better than bowling with the new ball.”
Speaking about his practice to trouble the left-handers, the off-spinner said: “Practice matches are very crucial in any visiting tour when it comes to a bowler. I decide on the lines that I bowl, I gauge my shoulder rotation, and I plan for the left-hander. I bowled my first ball to Yashashvi Jaiswal.”
Ashwin concluded, “My first intention would be to keep the ball in play on the stump line. Because there is a chance of the moisture of the pitch rubbing off on the ball, the batter won’t know if the ball is turning or coming straight to him. So, there’s a chance of a catch on the short leg.”
(With India Today Inputs)
