Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has recently opened up about the tactics he has honed over the years to counter Australian batting star Steve Smith. Their rivalry, which has been intensifying since their first clash back in 2013, is set to reignite as they prepare for the Border-Gavaskar series, kicking off November 22nd.
Ashwin expressed his thoughts on Smith’s strategy against spin, describing Smith as someone who approaches the game with thorough preparation. "He has unique ways of dissecting spin bowling, and I’ve found ways to break down those sound game plans he employs," Ashwin commented during his interview with 7Cricket.
It’s intriguing to hear Ashwin articulate his experiences with Smith, detailing how the nets during their IPL encounters have provided him with valuable insights. Smith's insistence on practice and his strategic execution on the field have challenged Ashwin to innovate his approach. "I’ve observed how he adjusts his game based on the bowler and the situation, which has only added to my learning," Ashwin added, recognizing Smith's crafty techniques.
Reflecting on their past performances, Ashwin noted his success against Smith, particularly recalling dismissals during the 2020-21 and most recent series. "Each match gives me insight, and there were times where I felt almost outplayed by him, which kept me on my toes to figure out my strategy against him," he mentioned.
Ironically, as Smith prepares to return to his favored No.4 spot after some experiments at the top of the order, Ashwin arrives at the series rejuvenated, following stellar performances on home soil.
Meanwhile, the IPL buzz has caught the eyes of cricket fans, especially after an unfortunate incident involving KL Rahul during the 2024 season. Speaking candidly, Rahul recounted the disheartening conversation with Lucknow Super Giants' owner following their crushing defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad. “Whatever happened on the field wasn’t the nicest thing, and it affected the whole team,” Rahul reflected on Star Sports.
After his team was knocked out, Rahul's emotional recount of the set-up revealed the stress players feel. The intense post-match discussion seemed to overshadow their loss, creating ripples across social media with fans calling for more constructive dialogues away from public view.
“It felt surreal to see how much devastation we faced after such expectations.” Rahul, underscoring, noted how they had to regroup and approach subsequent matches optimistically, even as they dealt with the ramifications of the loss.
Contrasting Rahul's experiences, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has weighed in on the discussions relating to Virat Kohli’s performance, provoking sharp reactions from counterparts such as Gautam Gambhir. Ponting, noting Kohli's recent struggles, said it was “a concern” seeing only two Test hundreds from him over the last five years.
Gambhir's pride as the head coach of the Indian team flared up, leading him to retort, “What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should be focusing on Australia.” Ponting later clarified his intentions weren't to undermine Kohli, who has historically excelled against Australia, but rather, to express genuine concern over his form.
Pent-up frustrations seem to reflect how closely-knit the community of cricketers is, where comments can spark heated debates, especially among titans of the past and present.
And it doesn’t stop there. The competitive nature continues as Beau Webster expressed his goals of securing a Test spot following successful outings with Australia A. “I’m definitely more hungry now,” Webster said, showcasing the zeal among players to constantly challenge themselves for places on the elite roster.
This fervor and emotional intensity reflect the overarching narrative within cricket today. Whether it's Ashwin's methodical breakdown of rivals, Rahul's sobering reality post-defeat, Ponting's probing observations, or Webster's ambition, cricket remains as thrilling and unpredictable as ever.
With the Border-Gavaskar series looming, these narratives intertwine, creating the stage for explosive encounters not just between bat and ball, but also between the minds of these formidable players.
