
India spinner Ravi Ashwin has revealed that playing with ace Aussie batter Steve Smith in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped him decode the batter. The statement comes as the two sides gear up for the Board-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) which starts in about 10 days.
Smith and Ashwin have always been a fascinating contest and the fans would hope for the same this time around as well. While Ashwin admitted that initially, Smith had him, he has been able to figure the Aussie out in recent years.
“Steve Smith is someone that’s fascinating as a player against spin especially,” Ashwin said while talking to 7Cricket ahead of the BGT.
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“His time at Delhi Capitals, his time at RPSG (Rising Pune Supergiants), all these net sessions that I’ve seen him go about his business really gave me an insight as to how he prepares and what he likes and what he doesn’t like.
“He’s a very thinking cricketer as well. He wants to get one up on you all the time. But he’s got very unique ways of practising and unique ways of battling out with you in the middle.
“And sometimes as a bowler when you’re watching a batter go through his process you do identify whether you have him or not. And several times in these years of having played with Steve Smith I’ve felt that he has me. But several times much later when I think I’ve kind of figured out what he does or how he bats, I’ve had an edge over him. I’ve had the wood over him,” Ashwin added.
India's tour of Australia begins on November 22 in Perth before the day-night second Test in Adelaide from December 6-10. The third Test will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18 before the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The last and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7.