Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is currently the number one bowler in the ICC men’s bowler rankings in Test cricket. Ashwin has shown his brilliance in the longest format and has picked up 489 wickets in 94 Tests at an average of 23.65. He has also taken 34 five-wicket hauls followed by eight ten-wicket hauls.
Apart from being a legendary bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin is a bowler with a great mentality. Ashwin knows how to play with the batsman’s mind and how to get him out. Ashwin plays several mind games with the batsman, which then confuses him and becomes the reason for his wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin was also picked in the 2023 ODI World Cup squad just because of his experience and cool skill. The Indian spinner will now feature in the two-match Test series against South Africa and his aim will be to script India’s first Test series win in South Africa.
R Ashwin is also hoping to bowl with South African batsmen like Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram. While speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin stated that he had been preparing for the South Africa Test series and added that he imagined himself bowling with Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma while bowling during the intra-team practice match. before the boxing day test match.
Ravichandran Ashwin looking forward to bowling against South African right-handers
Ravichandran Ashwin said: “When it comes to right-handers, I have to imagine bowling with Markram or Bavuma at the crease. It is irrelevant how I play against Shubman Gill or Shreyas Iyer. So, angling, a quick one on the straighter stretches. A slower leg outside off for Shreyas to defend. And a little faster ball later to evaluate what shot they are playing and see if they can catch the drift. Now I’ve played a lot with the old ball. “That’s better than bowling with the new ball.”
“Practice matches are very important on any away tour when it comes to a bowler. I decide the lines I play, measure my shoulder rotation, and plan for left-handedness. I bowled my first ball to Yashashvi Jaiswal. My first intention would be to keep the ball in play on the line of stump. Because there is a possibility of moisture from the pitch sticking to the ball, the batter will not know if the ball is spinning or coming directly at him. So there is a chance to catch him on the short stretch.”
Ravichandran Ashwin couldn’t do much in the previous tour of South Africa and picked up just three wickets in three games, which is very low for his ability. The ace Indian spinner is just 11 wickets away from the 500-wicket mark and will become only the second Indian bowler, after Anil Kumble, to achieve the milestone.
The first match of the series will be played at Centurion’s SuperSport Park, which is more suitable for bowlers. The Indian team could win a match here last time but lost the last two games and also the series. The Indian team will want to change things up this time with Rohit Sharma.
