Former India batsman Abhinav Mukund has reacted hilariously to Australia’s plans for tackling Ravichandran Ashwin in the upcoming four-match IND vs AUS Test series. The much-anticipated series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to begin next week (February 9) in Nagpur.
Australia have decided against the usual routine of playing warm-up games in the build-up to the four-Test series. Instead of playing the warm-up games, they have training in Bengaluru in conditions that could be on offer in the upcoming IND vs AUS series.
One of Australia’s biggest challenge on the tour will be to tackle India’s spinners especially senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner tormented the Aussies in the last two Test series in India and would be looking to give a similar performance in the forthcoming series.
Also Read: IND vs AUS 2023: India vs Australia Head-To-Head Record As Teams Gear Up For Border-Gavaskar Series
And to ensure that they put up a good performance against Ashwin, the Australians have roped in his imitator. As they began their preparations in Bengaluru, the most noticeable at their first training session was the presence of a spinner who copies Ashwin’s style.
The spinner is Maheesh Pithiya who grew up in a house with no television set in Junagadh. According to Cricket.com.au, Pithiya did not see Ashwin bowl until he was around 11 years old. Pithiya idolised Ashwin when he saw him against West Indies in 2013.
He went on to make his first-class debut for Baroda but is known more for his style that has is uncannily similar to Ashwin’s.
IND vs AUS: Abhinav Mukund reacts:
As the news of Australia training against Pithiya surfaced on Twitter, former India opener Abhinav Mukund could not help but come up with a hilarious reaction to it.
He began by pointing out the impact that Ashwin has had on Indian cricket before hilariously questioning Australia’s tactics, tweeting:
“Funny how ashwin used to impersonate harbhajan growing up, now there are many ashwin clones. That just shows the impact he has had on Indian cricket. Will it help the aussies though? What if he changes his action now??
Funny how ashwin used to impersonate harbhajan growing up, now there are many ashwin clones. That just shows the impact he has had on Indian cricket. Will it help the aussies though? What if he changes his action now?? https://t.co/6Dsw8JaBAE
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) February 3, 2023