Ranji Trophy 2017/18: Hrishikesh Kanitkar Hails Ravichandran Ashwin for Domestic Dedication
Oct 23, 2017 at 6:31 PM
As the third round of the Ranji Trophy will be beginning on Monday, the Tamil Nadu coach and former Indian batsman Hrishikesh Kanitkar is excited to have India’s premium off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin available for the side state side Tamil Nadu.
In his words, Ashwin will nurse the youngsters, as the former added the wily customer has been passionate to represent his side.
“He is very dedicated. Since he joined he has been like this – completely dedicated on the ground,” Kanitkar was quoted as saying by DNA.
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Interestingly, Ashwin was just twenty kilometres away from the iconic Wankhede Stadium when India-New Zealand match was featuring, which Kiwis convincingly won by six wickets after Tom Latham and Ross Taylor show with a bat.
The 31-year-old Chennai-born Ashwin was undergoing a rigorous practising at the Bandra Kurla Complex of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
“He is a positive person. He is someone who believes in doing what he can do, not worry about results,” Kanitkar asserted.
The 42-year-old Pune-born Kanitkar revealed Ashwin has paid rich dividends for the national side, and subsequently the state-level cricket owing to his grit and determination while focusing on to train hard.
“He likes to work on the field, try his variations or whatever he wants,” Kanitkar added.
Excited coach Kanitkar reiterated Ashwin had brought the experience to the Tamil Nadu camp, in a bid to nurse the youngsters while adding the slow bowler has been a blessing for the side for showing the great commitment towards the game.
“It definitely helps us that he is playing for us. Especially for the players who want to play and learn, getting better every game. It is a blessing for us,” Kanitkar said.
Being in awe of Ashwin, Kanitkar remarked such concentration and dedication for domestic set-up would subsequently set an excellent example for the aspiring cricketers, as the former has been on role particularly in the red-ball cricket.
“He knows even if things are out of his hands, he likes to keep it simple and bowl well to get wickets, no matter what is happening around him. He is only getting better,” Kanitkar maintained.
Admiring Ashwin, Kanitkar reiterated veteran bowler’s attitude towards the game reflects his hunger for the gentleman’s game.
“He is a hands-on guy. After international success, his attitude in Ranji is amazing,” Kanitkar further added.
The prominent spinner Ashwin will be the part of Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Abhinav Mukund, as a side will take on the 41-time Ranji title winners on October 24 in the Group C fixture.
While wrapping up, Ashwin was roped in the 16-member squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka after the spin duo including left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja were rested owing to the much-talked-about rotation policy.
Ashwin, who made his Test debut in 2010, featured in 52 Tests for India in which he bagged 292 wickets at an average of 25.26.