'Ask the Australian players' - Ian Chappell comments if visitors are brooding over R Ashwin 


image-ldsotw6aRavichandran Ashwin in action (Source: Twitter)

As Australia sweat hard for the much-awaited 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, their batters are focusing on making themselves well-equipped to India's Ravichandran Ashwin, who is seen as a major threat.

The Aussies are facing Mahesh Pithiya in the practice sessions as Baroda's off-spinner holds a resemblance to Ashwin in relation to the bowling action.

On being asked if the visitors are magnifying their battle with Ashwin, former Australia captain Ian Chappell stated that this can only be answered by the players. 

For the Australians to ace the Ashwin test, Chappell believes that they would have to dictate terms to the Tamil Nadu-born.

Here's what Chappell said to Star Sports:

"If you want to know how the Australian players are thinking about Ashwin, ask the Australian players. I’ve got no idea how they are thinking about Ashwin. You’ve obviously got to think about a good opponent like Ashwin, but you’ve got to think about being proactive. 

"If you are not the one who is basically dictating terms - that doesn’t mean you are hitting him for fours and sixes... Sometimes, just getting regular singles off a bowler will frustrate him more. If you are getting singles on a regular basis, he’s having to change who he bowls to."

The first Test of the upcoming four-match series begins on February 9 at Nagpur.


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