ENG v IND 2018: Ravichandran Ashwin Explains his Spin Variations

It was a great piece of spin bowling by India ace spiner, Ravichandran Ashwin on the opening day of the first Test between India and England in Birmingham.

It was his performances on the first day that helped India take the honours. He bowled quite a few variations and troubled the English batters on a consistent basis, and helped  India restrict the hosts on 285 for nine.

In an interview ahead of the 2^nd day’s play, Ashwin revealed some of his secrets which went into his bowling on the opening day of the Test match.

The off-spinner was handed over the ball quite early on in the inning, as Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma looked quite wayward. Hence, Virat Kohli was forced to give Ravichandran Ashwin the ball after only the 7^th over.

He did justice to his reputation and the faith shown in him by Kohli. Ashwin set up Alastair Cook quite brilliantly and then removed him with a peach of a delivery. The ball pitched on middle and leg and turned enough to take the top of the off stump.

The fizz went out of the pitch, as the day progressed feels Ravichandran Ashwin 

“Think could have been have a more tacky. But we can only make a decision after a few days of the match goes along. I felt as the ball got a bit older the fizz started going out of the wicket as well. But if you got the pace right, I still think it is a bit tough of spin, but it is pretty slow. For a batsman you can adjust and bat,” Ashwin said during the interview.

Ashwin further revealed how he uses the fingers to extract turn. Tthe offie further said he doesn’t use the first two fingers that much as used by the other spinners.

In the video posted, Ashwin shows how he grips the ball and has developed different deliveries to unsettle the batsmen. He has a brilliant slider which almost swings in the air and deceives the batsman. It might also be an indication to the selectors that he is yet again ready for limited-overs cricket.

Ive been working on masking my deliveries – Ashwin https://t.co/K1sAvfK6Jy

— Arya Chakraborty (@AryaMady) August 2, 2018