Rejuvenated after a two-month break, India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says that he is ready with a bagful of new tricks, which he hopes to display during the upcoming Champions Trophy.
After a gruelling home season of 13 Tests, Ashwin was advised rest during the Indian Premier League and the tweaker’s next assignment is India’s Champions Trophy defence.
“I might be able to throw something new in this tournament (Champions Trophy), hopefully. I am equipped enough to do so. The two warm-up games (against New Zealand and Bangladesh) will give me an indication on how well I go in the tournament,” Ashwin said.
“It depends on how well my variations will come to fore, so just hoping that these practice matches can be put to good use and I bring something in new to the table and give something new to the team,” a confident Ashwin said.
Ashwin said that changed rules with four fielders outside the 30-yard circle and two new balls from both ends has pushed bowlers around the world to think out of the box. “There have been rule changes to what ICC has done to one day format, and there is no point in going with same set of skills time and again, unless the game change your skill or let the game take the demand out of you. “It’s been going through my head and I have been working on lot of stuff based on how the game is changing,” the 30-year-old said.
Ashwin also revealed that he plays white-ball cricket keeping in mind that a flat wicket would welcome him. “I feel you have to be prepared for any challenge thrown at you and I generally expect placid wickets and that’s the way I prepare for limited-overs format. As far pressure is concerned, it is about handling one game at a time, as you build up to every game, you start becoming a favorite.”
Ashwin termed his successful home season of 2016-’17 as “surreal”. “Honestly feels surreal right now as I had a month and half break. These wickets (in the past season) have come and they are result of how much have strived for excellence, all I am trying to do is use this experience,” said Ashwin.
Ashwin feels that the Indian Premier League has proved to be beneficial for not only Indian players but also talented cricketers from overseas. “IPL has only done good for Indian cricket. A lot of players from other countries have echoed the same feeling about how much talent India is throwing up from IPL and it will continue to happen,” Ashwin said.