Image Courtesy- India Today
Team India veteran Ravichandran Ashwin has said that he has received a lot of success against left-handers, as he challenges both sides of the edge.
Team India off-spinner is the only bowler in 5-day game history, to register over 200 dismissals against left-handed batsmen. His statement comes at a time when India is going to take on New Zealand in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, as opponents have several key left-handers like Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and Henry Nicholls in their squad.
While speaking to Sportstar, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted his incredible record against left-handers, he quoted: “I would like to think that it is because I challenge both sides of the edge. I get a batsman out through the inside edge and the outside and get the slip, short leg, and silly point in play. I think that is one of the reasons the left-handers find it difficult. Also, I change the angle; I go over the wicket and to the extremes for around the stumps also. So challenging both sides of the bat gives me the edge.”
The 34-year-old said, New Zealand would have a slight advantage going into the WTC final, as they have played two Tests against England.
He said: “We have played well to get to the World Test Championship final, and we are deservedly there. They are a fantastic team and have a lot of exciting cricketers. The fact that they would have played a couple of Test matches before the final will be good preparation for them. So we have to adapt; use our experience, and be ready.”
Ravichandran Ashwin needs only nine more wickets to overtake Harbhajan Singh (417) and move to No. 3 in the list of India’s leading wicket-takers in Test matches.