IND vs AUS: "The Challenge In India Is Different" - Irfan Pathan Feels Ravichandran Ashwin Will Trouble David Warner In The Border Gavaskar Trophy

Published - 05 Feb 2023, 05:23 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Ravichandran Ashwin and David Warner (Image Credits: Twitter)

Australia will tour India for four Test matches, the first of which will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday, February 9. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has spoken about the matchup between Australian batter David Warner and Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023.

Australian batters will face challenges in Indian conditions, where pitches traditionally support spinners. Ravichandran Ashwin, who has taken more than 300 wickets at home, is likely to be the spearhead of India’s bowling in the upcoming series. The 36-year-old became the first bowler in the history of cricket to take more than 200 wickets against left-handed batsmen.

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During a discussion on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, Irfan Pathan said that David Warner will not trouble Ravichandran Ashwin. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that although Warner’s confidence is high now, spin-friendly pitches will be a challenge for him.

“No doubt about that, because if you look at his history as well, nearly 50% of Ravichandran Ashwin’s wickets have come against left-handed batters. No bowler in history has taken more than 200 left-handed batters’ wickets. Those are outstanding numbers. So if he sees David Warner coming in front of him, I don’t think it will be a huge challenge,” Irfan Pathan said.

“I know that Warner just scored a double hundred. He will be very, very confident right now, especially with his batting, because he was struggling for runs, but the challenge in India is different – the challenge of the pitches and the challenge of Ravichandran Ashwin – that’s going to be very, very mighty and I think Ashwin will definitely trouble David Warner in this series,” he added.

Warner was dismissed by Ashwin 10 times in the longer format and averages 18.2 against him. The second test will be held in Delhi (February 17–21), the third in Dharamsala (March 1–5), and the fourth in Ahmedabad (March 9-13).

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