Kolkata : Indian legendary spinner Ravi Ashwin has revealed how he figured out dominating Australian great Steve Smith with the Ball, ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Ashwin vs Smith rivalry has been a treat to watch over the years. The former has dismissed Smith for 8 occasions in Test Cricket, while the later scored 434 runs against him.
The spinner faced Smith for 1st time in 2012-13 BGT, where Smith had the upper hand with 348 runs in 570 balls, for just three dismissals.
Ashwin, known for his tactics, came back with a bang in historic 2020-21 BGT , where he dismissed Smith twice. Again in 2022-23 , he got Smith twice, conceding only 22 runs, in 71 Balls.
IPL helped Ashwin in figuring out Smith
Speaking to 7Cricket ahead of BGT 2024-25 , Ashwin revealed how net sessions at Delhi Capitals and Rising Pune Supergiants in IPL helped him find “ways and means to be able to break it down,” after Smith outsmarted him in the first three face-offs.
“Steve Smith is someone that’s fascinating as a player against spin especially,” the 37-year-old said. “He has his own unique technique, even playing fast bowling. But with spin I think he came in with sound game plans, sound preparations and yeah, he used to execute it come what may. And over the years I’ve found ways and means to be able to break it down”.
Smith and Ashwin were in same team, for Rising Pune Supergiants (2016-17) & Delhi Capitals (2022). Ashwin bowled to Smith ample times in nets and figured him out perfectly.
“His time Delhi Capitals, his time at RPSG (Rising Pune Supergiants), all these net sessions that I’ve seen him go about his business really gave me an insight as to how he prepares and what he likes and what he doesn’t like.
“He’s a very thinking cricketer as well. He wants to get one up on you all the time. But he’s got very unique ways of practising and unique ways of battling out with you in the middle.
And sometimes as a bowler when you’re watching a batter go through his process you do identify whether you have him or not. And several times in these years of having played with Steve Smith I’ve felt that he has me. But several times much later when I think I’ve kind of figured out what he does or how he bats, I’ve had an edge over him. I’ve had the wood over him.”
With these statements, the Ashwin vs Smith rivalry could be more interesting to see. India need to win atleast 4 out of 5 matches in the BGT 2024-25, starting from November 22, to earn confirmed qualification in WTC 2025 final.
