Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who will play his 100th Test against England in Dharamsala, has talked about occasionally befriending people from the media to acquire film of how players prepare for a Test match. The off-spinner made this move during India's tour to Australia, and it worked well for him.
Ashwin was brilliant in India's miraculous 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory as he took 12 wickets in three matches. He managed to dismiss Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne on three and two occasions respectively during the series.
I make friends with the media guys: Ashwin
"Sometimes I make friends with the media guys and get footage from the backside when the batters are practicing in the nets. When I went to Australia, there were occasions where Marnus and Smith were using their feet and going back in the nets. It really works because I feel human beings are very insecure. The moment they know you have them, you're winning half the battle," Ashwin told Jio Cinema.
Ashwin lauds Australian and English batters for playing well against spin-bowling
"I feel England and Australia batters bat against spin much better than some of our own on occasions because they know this is a very stern challenge, so year across they end up preparing to play spin, like we prepare to play seam and bounce," Ashwin added.
The off-spinner also became the second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to take 500 Test wickets, joining a league of legendary bowlers consisting of Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, James Anderson, Anil Kumble, Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Lyon, and Courtney Walsh.
Along with Ashwin, England batter Jonny Bairstow will also be playing his 100th Test match in Dharamsala.
India currently lead the five-match Test series against England 3-1 and aim to conclude the series on a high note with the final match taking place at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Academy Stadium in Dharamsala.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
