'Gauge What Shot...,' Ashwin Reveals His Master Plan For Bavuma &  Markram Ahead Of SA Tests

Ravi Ashwin is ready for South African challenge (X.com)

The Indian off-spin bowling genius Ravichandran Ashwin has elaborated on how he has been preparing himself for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa starting on December 26. The veteran spinner explained how he has been visualizing bowling to the likes of Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram which as a result, is helping him identify the right target areas to maximize his effectiveness.

On this tour, Ashwin was last seen in action in an intra-squad practice match prior to the Boxing Day Test match. In his latest YouTube video, Ashwin outlines his strategy to bowl to the right-handers and explains how he plans to unleash his barrage of tricks to deceive the Proteas batsmen.

"When it comes to right-handers, I have to imagine bowling to Markram or Bavuma on the crease. It is immaterial how I bowl to Shubman Gill or Shreyas Iyer. So, angling in, a quick one on the straighter lengths. A slower length outside off to Shreyas for him to defend. And a little faster ball later to gauge what shot they are playing and to check if they are able to catch the drift. I’ve bowled a lot on the old ball now. That is better than bowling with the new ball."

Ashwin also has a plan up his sleeve to tackle the left-handers. He reckons that keeping the ball straight at the stumps would maximize his chances of effecting a dismissal as the batter would not be 100% certain whether the ball would grip or not.

---

ALSO READ

[Watch] Virat Kohli's Intense Discussion With Dravid As Rohit Bats Ahead Of 1st SA Test

---

The 37-year-old failed to fire in India’s preceding away Test series against South Africa in 2021-2022. The crafty spinner finished with a meager three wickets to his name and apart from his useful cameo of 46 runs, Ashwin failed to deliver any ground-breaking performance.

But after triumphing in the recently concluded ODI series, Team India are riding high on confidence. The Blues will be counting on the experience and expertise of Ravi Ashwin to help them overpower a powerful Proteas side for their maiden Test series victory in South Africa.

---

ALSO READ

[Watch] Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi Ready For Boxing Day Test Against India

---