How To Get Opponents' Batting Videos? R Ashwin Says "Make Friends With..."

Veteran Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that he occasionally becomes friends with media people in order to acquire footage of opponent batters during practice. Ashwin, who will play his 100th Test match in Dharamsala on Thursday, recalled how he used this strategy during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He took 12 wickets in 3 matches and was able to dismiss Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne on multiple occasions in those three matches. Ashwin added that his tactic is also extremely useful in putting pressure on the opposition.

"Sometimes I make friends with the media guys and get footage from the backside when the batters are practicing in the nets. When I went to Australia, there were occasions where Marnus and Smith were using their feet and going back in the nets. It really works because I feel human beings are very insecure. The moment they know you have them, you're winning half the battle," he told Jio Cinema.

Ashwin also praised England and Australia cricketers for their preparation against spin bowling.

"I feel England and Australia batters bat against spin much better than some of our own on occasions because they know this is a very stern challenge, so year across they end up preparing to play spin, like we prepare to play seam and bounce," Ashwin added.

Ahead of playing his 100th Test, Ashwin named three famed batters as the players he loves bowling to.

Since making his debut in 2011 in Test cricket, Ashwin has engaged in numerous battles against the most skillful batters like Alastair Cook and many more that the world of cricket has ever witnessed.

Ashwin named Australia's craftsman Steve Smith, New Zealand's veteran batter Kane Williamson and England's skillful star Joe Root as the batters he has loved bowling against.

"I've loved bowling to Steven Smith, [Kane] Williamson and Joe Root. They're some of the finest batters going around the world right now," Ashwin said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

(With ANI inputs)