Reason Ravichandran Ashwin's Record Is So Good Is Because He's A Tremendous Thinker - Marnus Labuschagne
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne opened up on facing Indian bowling all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin and the mind games you have to play to come out on top against the wily off-spinner. Currently, Labuschagne is part of Australia’s squad that is touring Pakistan.
Spin will definitely be one of the biggest factors and Labuschagne is quite well prepared having faced Ashwin at home last year in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Talking about his experience of playing against the 34-year-old, Labuschagne said:
“The reason Ashwin’s record is so good is because he’s a tremendous thinker of the game. So, he’s always thinking about how he can get you out. About what you are doing. And so what he’s doing to counter that?”
“And then he seems to go, “Ok now I’m going to change so that you’re going to do this.” That’s what makes him really good. Now, not all bowlers are like that. There are other bowlers who have really good deliveries and can bowl really well but that thinking of getting you out, that’s an acquired skill,” Labuschagne further told Cricbuzz.
“You obviously have to lift your game because he’s lifted his game” – Marnus Labuschagne
Playing against Ashwin helps to improve in your own game, as per Labuschagne. Ashwin doesn’t lose battles too often and he usually has the upper hand. This forces the batters who face him to improve themselves constantly and adapt to situations.
“On some wickets, it’s easy. Because you just need to put the ball there and the wicket will do the work. But I think Ashwin has played on plenty of wickets where he’s had to create the work, he’s had to create the angles, come tight or come wide.
“And that’s why it’s really good to play against guys like Ashwin. You obviously have to lift your game because he’s lifted his game,” Labuschagne added.
The first Test between Australia and Pakistan begins on March 4 in Rawalpindi.
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