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'Had An Edge Over Him…' - Ravi Ashwin Warns Steve Smith Ahead Of Border-Gavaskar Series

Aakash Saini

Steve Smith and Ravichandran Ashwin [Source: @ICC/x]Steve Smith and Ravichandran Ashwin [Source: @ICC/x]

The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and verbal duels are underway as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Test titans Australia and India looms large. A couple of weeks prior to the series opener, legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has claimed to have ‘figured out’ Australian batting great Steve Smith.

According to Ashwin, he has managed to gain ‘an edge’ over his Australian rival in the past few years, as evidenced by the batter’s dismal track record against the spinner during the 2020-21 and 2023 BGT series in Australia and India respectively.

Ravi Ashwin warns Steve Smith ahead of BGT series

Before taking flight for Australia, legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised Steve Smith for always coming up with ‘sound game plans’ and ‘sound preparations’ to tackle spinners. However, Ashwin claimed that he seems to have found a way to ‘break’ Smith’s technique, and credited their time together at the RPS and Delhi Capitals franchises in IPL for letting him get a closer look at the Australian batter.

While speaking with 7Cricket, he said:

“Steve Smith is someone that’s fascinating as a player against spin especially. He has his own unique technique, even playing fast bowling. But with spin I think he came in with sound game plans, sound preparations and yeah, he used to execute it come what may. And over the years I’ve found ways and means to be able to break it down. His time at Delhi Capitals, his time at RPSG, 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.”

Ravichandran Ashwin added that while Steve Smith got the better of him during the initial years of their battles, the off-spinner has found ‘an edge’ over his Australian nemesis in the past couple of series.

“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.”

Compatible to Ravichandran Ashwin’s claims, the legendary Indian all-rounder has managed to dismiss Steve Smith five times in the past two BGT series. However, Smith held an upper hand throughout the initial stages of their rivalry, especially during the 2014-15 series in Australia and during the 2017 series in India.

With crucial WTC points on the line, the two cricketers will now be expected to cross paths in the 2024-25 series in Australia. The first Test will be hosted by the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22 onwards.