Ashwin wants Kevin Pietersen show his destructive batting in IPL 2016
Apr 9, 2016 at 1:25 PM
On Friday, Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised his teammate Kevin Pietersen and he wants Pietersen to show his destructive batting during IPL 2016.
Ashwin said, “I Think KP (Pietersen) is hitting the ball really well. He is one of the finest players I have seen and do well in India from a foreign batsman perspective. He has done really well in Tests as well. He is a great striker of the ball. I am looking forward to see him bat. We will know when the games go on — I am sure he is good enough to do it. I am very confident.”
Ashwin also praised about IPL (Indian Premier League). He commented, “IPL has produced lots of cricketers in the mix. It’s a very important tournament. It helps you rub shoulders with top international cricketers. It helps you to take away the pressure especially in the big moment and gives you a feeling about what international cricket could be all about. That’s a great stepping stone between first class and international cricket.”
Ashwin further added on it, “In general, I think T20 cricket has probably gone a notch up. In the last year or two. The game has definitely evolved, and it is important to keep an eye on how much the game has evolved.”
The 29-years old off-spinner previously played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (2009-2015) in the IPL, where he was the key player and won the IPL twice. Now after the suspension of CSK for two years, he will play for the new team RPS. Ashwin is looking forward to play for a new team. He said, “It’s not difficult in that sense. I am certainly looking forward to it playing for a new team. In this particular franchise, everything is new for them as well. Going into IPL for the first time, they need to get the logistics, team dynamics — because you will lose a few games as that’s the nature of this tournament.
“Losing some close games also, you have to live with it and not press forward. The franchise and players working together is the biggest challenge and the best thing in this IPL.”
The ninth edition of IPL will start from Saturday, 9th April 2016 and it will run until 29th May 2016. RPS will begin their IPL journey in the opening game of IPL 9 tournament against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.