India’s bowling prodigy Ravichandran Ashwin reveals he has something new to tackle the opponents, as the formidable Men in Blue would be defending their 2017 ICC Champions Trophy title, adding he as a bowler would give his best in the English conditions.
“I might be able to throw something new in this tournament (2017 ICC Champions Trophy), hopefully. I am equipped enough to do so,” Ashwin was quoted by PTI after speaking at the award function.
In 2013, Team India won the rain truncated final against the hosts by five runs at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 23, under the tutelage of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“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,” Ashwin maintained.
Ashwin, who would be fresh for the much-awaited 2017 ICC Champions Trophy which will be held England from June 1, is expecting a better competition.
“The two warm-up games will give me an indication on how well I go in the tournament,” Ashwin stated.
The lanky off-spinner Ashwin is geared up with a bagful of tricks to test the opponent in the 18-day tournament. Ashwin, who has claimed 99 wickets in past 12 months in Test cricket has been part of 13 home Tests, the spinner has been on the role for India against Australia, England, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
The 30-year-old Chennai-born bowling all-rounder enjoyed his long break after he was advised by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take rest when he was suffering from the sports hernia.
“It’s been going through my head and I have been working on lot of stuff based on how the game is changing,” Ashwin remarked.
Ashwin was pulled out of the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) while being the part of Steven Smith-led side Rising Pune Supergiant, which lost 2017 final by one-run against Mumbai Indians on May 21 at Hyderabad.
Ashwin also stated the rule changed by world cricket governing body has made bowlers to think, as two new balls were introduced which further saw bowlers putting in their best.
“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,” Ashwin concluded.
On Wednesday, Ashwin was named as the International Cricketer of the Year during the CEAT Cricket Rating 2017 International Awards.
Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar and IPL franchise Rising Pune Supergiant Chairman Harsh Goenka presented the award to Ashwin at the Cricket Club of India’s (CCI) star-studded function.
The wily customer Ashwin, who has been a success story in Test cricket, is eyeing to bask the glory for team India with his quality bowling, as they are scheduled to face Pakistan before South Arica and Sri Lanka in Group B matches.
Ashwin has played 105 ODIs in which he claimed 145 wickets at an average of 32.37.