India spinner Ravi Ashwin has been dreaming about playing in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Speaking to the New Indian Express, Ashwin said that he is excited to play the four-match Test series and has been taking care of his body rigorously. The spinner will be coming into the series in good form, having played a crucial part in India’s win against Bangladesh. Ashwin performed with both bat and ball in the series, something that he has worked upon.
“I have started my training. I have been dreaming (about the series) and I’ve been doing some yoga. I’ve been religiously doing yoga over the last year or so. I think it’s just helped me feel much better. (As for the skills) I’ve definitely put in a lot of work on my batting. My batting has really been upscale over the last 18 months or so. I put in a lot of work whenever a home series happens,” Ashwin said about his preparation.
India are currently without the services of Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah in their Test team, however, two of those players are expected to make a return.
“I’m expecting (Ravindra) Jadeja to come through (be fit in time) but I like expanding more angles. I got some things in my head. I’ve been watching Australia play in Australia. I’d like to be working on some different angles, something new,” the spinner said about his bowling partner, who has been out since before the T20 World Cup.
Asked about the expectations from Australia, Ashwin said that they touring side had done well in the past and expects high voltage cricket.
“Whenever Australia tour (India), they have always done well, even the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2017), in my opinion, was one of the best series that we played. And we also went back there and again managed to retain the trophy. It is always exciting. I don’t expect anything less than high voltage cricket. And I expect a lot of intensity. Australia and England are the best prepared teams that come to India and Australia take it one notch higher. I’m really looking forward to an exciting series,” Ashwin concluded,
