India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is back after a short break after the World Cup Final loss. Ashwin, who is nearing his 500th Test wicket is expected to feature in at least one of the Test matches against South Africa. India are playing a 2-match Test series, starting 26 December, in Centurion.

India Test Squad vs SA: Update

Ashwin, in his latest YouTube video, spoke about his preparation ahead of the Test series, stating that he has to imagine scenarios against batters. Ashwin, one of the greatest red-ball spinners of all time said that he is coming into the series with a lot of practice.

“When it comes to right-handers, I have to imagine bowling to Markram or Bavuma on the crease. It is immaterial how I bowl to Shubman Gill or Shreyas Iyer. So, angling in, a quick one on the straighter lengths. A slower length outside off to Shreyas for him to defend. And a little faster ball later to gauge what shot they are playing and to check if they are able to catch the drift. I’ve bowled a lot on the old ball now. That is better than bowling with the new ball,” Ashwin said in his latest YouTube video.

The off-spinner is particularly famous for troubling the left-handers. Ashwin said that he has been practicing against youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, a rising star in India cricket. Ashwin detailed his plan of attack against the left-handers and said that he likes to pitch it in the stump line and keep the batters guessing if the ball will spin or not.

“Practice matches are very crucial in any visiting tour when it comes to a bowler. I decide on the lines that I bowl, I gauge my shoulder rotation, and I plan for the left-hander. I bowled my first ball to Yashashvi Jaiswal. My first intention would be to keep the ball in play on the stump line. Because there is a chance of the moisture of the pitch rubbing off on the ball, the batter won’t know if the ball is turning or coming straight to him. So there’s a chance of a catch on the short leg,” Ashwin further added.

Ashwin will be looking to continue his strong show in the red ball game. After his snub from the World Test Championship 2023 Final, Ashwin picked up 15 wickets in the 2-match Test series against West Indies. Ashwin, who has played 94 Test matches so far, is just 11 wickets away from the magical feat of 500 wickets.