R Ashwin Looks A Very Different Bowler: Zaheer Khan

Former Indian seamer Zaheer Khan opines that Ravichandran Ashwin could be a massive weapon in overseas conditions, given his outing in Australia so far. Ravichandran Ashwin has indeed been a constant threat for the Australian batsmen in the ongoing four-match Test series. Zaheer Khan believes that the veteran could brush aside all the criticisms aimed at him of his lack of impact on foreign pitches.

Ravichandran Ashwin has so far claimed nine wickets in three innings in Australia and at an economical rate. More importantly, the 34-year old has managed to trap Australia’s premier batsman, Steve Smith and dismissed him cheaply. Ashwin has often copped criticism for proving his effectiveness in India, where decks are more spin-friendly and becoming a liability outside the sub-continent.

Zaheer Khan observed that Ravi Ashwin has found a way now, avoiding variations and instead sticking to the basics on foreign pitches. That has resulted in the Tamil Nadu off-spinner maintaining his patience. Zaheer pointed out that Ashwin could now take wickets on those decks which does not offer too much assistance by placing fielders at appropriate positions.

“He has found a way now. We used to see Ashwin trying to use a lot of variations when he used to play Test matches on overseas pitches. Now he has reduced the usage of those variations and has kept his patience. So, he has found a way that where is not too much help in the wicket how he can plan to take wickets. And which fielders he can get into the catching positions. There is a clarity of thought process,” Khan told Sony Sports.

He is a very experienced player: Zaheer Khan

The former left-arm seamer recognized that the clarity of thought is the reason he causes plenty of trouble to the batsmen. According to Zaheer, Ashwin knows the discussions happening on his lack of impact of overseas conditions and the off-spinner wants to change it.

“That is the reason he is causing trouble for the batsmen, and your confidence also increases when you take wickets. He is a very experienced player, and somehere or the other, he also knows the talk that happens about his overseas record, he is very keen to change that,” he added.

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