IND vs SA: Ravichandran Ashwin Reveals How He Prepares For A Test Match

Ahead of first Test vs South Africa, skipper Virat Kohli had said that Ashwin still is an integral part of the Indian bowling attack

0India senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is considered among world's top-ranked spin bowlers in Test cricket. The 33-year-old was picked for the Windies tour but was benched the entire series and has not played international cricket for over a year due to not being selected in limited overs format. However, ahead of first Test vs South Africa, skipper Virat Kohli had said that Ashwin still is an integral part of the Indian bowling attack, especially in home conditions. While speaking to host broadcasters on day 5, Ashwin revealed what all he does to prepare for a Test. “ I Start listening to their press conferences, start watching their practice sessions to see what they’ve done. I watch videos, go to different websites to study. I also see their record over the past six months, how they have gone about dealing with off-spinners, with spinners in general -in South Africa, away from South Africa, what sort of troubles they’ve had and identify attacking zones for bowler,” he said. “If it is a six-ball period, I would go towards the good length area, prodding there, looking for their inside and outside edge, open the gate for bowled. This how generally the off-spinners operate. I concentrate on the stumps for a period of time and then go wider, shoulders do not open, slip into play, shoulder opens up and the ball spins, it brings the short leg into play. Once the shoulder opens, not all the strokes will be under control, catching mid-wicket, short mid-wicket will be in play, short leg. Once a batsman is scared of his pads, the bat starts going in a funny fashion, at an angle. These are things I work on. When the batsmen start changing their strategies, that’s when I start winning,” he further added. Ashwin also said that as soon as he bowls two to three overs to a batsman, he  picks up their strategy. “Once a batsman plays out two to three overs, I pick up their strategy, either I break my spell and come back with a different strategy or immediately go for something different. One of the most important things is to have all tools in order - my arm ball, my off-break, my top spin, my carrom ball. Plans are pretty much similar,” the off-spinner added.