A pointy thoughts with a penchant for making an attempt out new issues, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is relentless in his bowling method and at all times tries to maintain himself one step forward of opposition batters, his long-time nationwide team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara mentioned. Ashwin is ready to play his a centesimal Take a look at within the final recreation of the five-match sequence in Dharamsala starting on March 7. He went previous the 500-wicket mark within the third Take a look at in Rajkot to turn into solely the second Indian to realize the feat.

“Studying batters has at all times been a key a part of what Ash does. He’s at all times one step forward, alert to the smallest cues. He’s continually observing the batter… No element is simply too small for his sharp thoughts. He places loads of effort into every supply,” Pujara wrote in his column for ‘ESPNcricinfo’.

“Having simply turn into the second quickest bowler to 500 Take a look at wickets, Ash now deserves one other equally vital landmark – of 100 Exams. He is in all probability somewhat late getting there for varied causes. However I’m actually blissful for him. He’s somebody who has at all times been able to take the problem on and do the onerous yards for the workforce. He deserves it essentially the most.

“He has developed and survived for a very long time regardless of taking part in a number of codecs, and that’s primarily due to his revolutionary thoughts: he’s not afraid or shy to check out new issues, even at the price of failing within the course of.” Pujara, who additionally performed his a centesimal Take a look at final 12 months however has been out favour at present, mentioned there was no respite for batters whereas dealing with Ashwin as he was at all times on a look-out for taking wicket.

“There isn’t any respite. In case you’re snug batting towards him from over the stumps, he’ll change to around the stumps, from the place he is ready to create that angle the place, if the ball goes straight, there’s an edge in play even if you’re seeking to defend.

“He’s continually observing the batter, his set off, the place the backlift is coming from, which stump he’s on. So if a batter is seeking to sweep, Ash will go somewhat fuller and attempt to block him by bowling the faster supply, virtually a yorker size, and get an lbw.” Pujara cited an instance of Ashwin’s meticulous preparation earlier than a match.

“He (Ashwin) has spoken beforehand about how he obsessively pored over movies of Steve Smith a number of months earlier than India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21. Earlier than the Melbourne Take a look at, I keep in mind we chalked out the plan of getting a leg gully towards Smith as a result of there was a little bit of moisture, which made the ball maintain a bit.

“And that’s Ash ended up bowling with the brand new ball. A part of the plan was additionally that he would come around the stumps to create the angle. And the plan labored – I caught Smith at leg gully.” Pujara additionally had the privilege of “having fun with up shut” Ashwin’s duels towards star England batter Joe Root, one other effective participant of spin. The 2 are set to resume their rivalry in Dharamsala once more.

“In case you have a look at his file, Root has at all times been a proactive batter – he’ll both attempt to play the sweep or reverse sweep, or attempt to rotate the strike so he does not should face six balls off any explicit bowler. I am not saying that Root does not defend effectively, however total, his recreation plan is to place bowlers beneath stress.

“To counter that, Ashwin’s tactic has been to maintain Root on strike by taking out the quick leg or different close-in fielders, leaving only one slip, and inserting a fielder at sq. leg to stop the one. It does not matter whether or not you might be taking part in on a flat pitch or on a turner, Ash needs Root to defend these six balls and see how he reacts.

“It’s a battle of wills between two prime gamers, which makes for an engrossing contest.” Pujara additionally described Ashwin as “in all probability one of many fittest I’ve recognized” among the many bowlers, ending up bowling 30, 35, 40 overs in a day, however he nonetheless has the stamina to hold on subsequent day.

Outdoors of cricket issues, Pujara mentioned “you’ll be able to by no means win an argument” towards Ashwin.

“He’s very good, and his vocabulary might be among the many greatest within the cricketing fraternity.

“However Ash will not be a nasty loser. We play desk tennis and tennis – two issues wherein I get pleasure from having an edge over him! – and he is an effective sport.

“I want I had his unimaginable reminiscence. That’s in all probability as a result of he has a thoughts that’s at all times ticking. Away from cricket, he’s a voracious reader, enjoys chess on-line, and is open to studying new issues.”

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