Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his game plan on how to tackle Steven Smith in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25. The five-match test series between India and Australia takes place from November 22 to January 7.
Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker in BGT history with 114 scalps in 22 appearances, with 39 coming in Australia. He is just behind Nathan Lyon, who is the finest bowler in the series with 116 wickets in 26 games.
Meanwhile, Smith is the top-scorer in BGT among batters playing in the much-anticipated series. He has scored 1,887 runs in 18 games at a prolific average of 65.06 with eight centuries.
As per Ravichandran Ashwin, Steven Smith has come with sound plans against spin in the last few years, but he has learned to tackle his challenge. Ashwin’s purpose has been helped by his time with Smith during their stint with the Rising Pune Supergiant and Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
Speaking to 7Cricket ahead of the Australia Test series, Ashwin said:
“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 several times in these years of having played with Steven 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,” he added.
Ravichandran Ashwin finished with worst bowling performance at home against New Zealand
Recently, India faced a shattering series defeat against New Zealand. Although they were confident after a 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh, they were completely dominated by the Black Caps side. New Zealand secured a 3-0 clean sweep and clinched their maiden test series victory on Indian soil.
The Indian team’s key spinner Ravichandran Ashwin finished with nine wickets and held an average of 41.66, which was his second-worst bowling performance in a home series. He boasted an average of 52.64 in India’s 2-1 test series loss to England in 2012.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin shut down the critics and fans for the character assassination of some players. According to him, no one was hurt more than the players in a dressing room and believes fans should support the team in bad times.
