Ravichandran Ashwin has dismissed Australia skipper Steven Smith’s suggestions that the India’s spin spearhead did not want to reveal a lot while bowling to him in the nets during their stint for Rising Pune Supergiants in the Indian Premier League.

Speaking to Cricbuzz earlier this year, Smith had said:

“It’s a little different facing (Ashwin) in the nets. He bowled a lot of leg-spinners. Maybe, he was trying to not give too much away with his off-spinners.

“He is obviously a quality bowler and has done well for a long period of time.”

He had further said that he would not hesitate in sharing any details about his compatriots.

“I don’t think it is a very sensitive area at all. There is so much footage about everyone these days (that) sharing a few things can’t really hurt,” he had said.

“Whichever team I am playing for, I want to do well, so if they want to ask about some Australian players, I will share as many things about their weaknesses as possible,” he had added.

However, Ashwin has denied Smith’s suggestions and said bowling leg-spin in the nets was a part of skill development.

“Not really. That was not the intent,” Ashwin, who bowled a rare leg-spin during India’s recent one-off Test against Bangladesh, told The New India Express.

“I’m definitely more phased out in the way I practice during the IPL. Bowling leg spin had to do with skill development.

“How much ever you study or practice against someone (doesn’t matter compared to how you play), it boils down to the fact that you have to come out to the middle and replicate everything. I don’t want to read much into it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the four-match Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin in Pune on February 23.