Mumbai: Ravichandran Ashwin always comes up with new tricks for opposing batsmen. The world’s leading off-spinner could throw up a few challenges at the Champions Trophy in England as well.
“There have been lot of rule changes in ODI cricket. There is no point going with the same set of skills” said Ashwin who collected his Ceat International Cricketer of the Year award from Sunil Gavaskar here on Wednesday.
“I have been working on a lot of stuff. I might throw in something new in the Champions Trophy. The two practice matches will give me indication how I can put my new variations to use.”
Ashwin finished with 99 wickets including nine five-wicket hauls in 17 Tests. He also became the quickest bowler in the world to 250 wickets. Shubman Gill of the India U-19 team was awarded as Ceat Young Cricketer of the Year.
The Tamil Nadu spinner, who skipped the IPL after a gruelling home Test series that included 13 Tests, to heal a sports hernia injury isn’t worried about lack of match practice.
“I am switched on and not concerned about being short of match practice. We have two games before the tournament which will help me. There was an injury which was troubling me and I have recovered well, trained pretty hard and ticked all the boxes I wanted to get right,” Ashwin said.
He is not worried about lack of assistance for spinners in English conditions either. “I feel you have to be prepared for any challenge thrown at you and I generally expect placid wickets and that's the way I prepare for the limited overs format. As far pressure is concerned, it is about handling one game at a time,” said the Indian off-spinner.
