Adaptability has been the key for 'wrist-spin' duos' success in South Africa: R Ashwin

Team India is dominating the injury-affected South Africa in One Day International series. After taking a 2-0 lead in the series, the Indians seem on track to secure the series. The Indian team is slated to play the third ODI against the Proteas on Wednesday and will love to take the lead up to 3-0 in the series. A significant factor that has attributed to India’s success in the ODI series is the exploits from the wrist spinners.

Both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav constantly look to pick wickets and don’t like the game drifting away. They always challenge the batsmen to take them on and adapt to the conditions very quickly. Also, very often, they end up baffling up the batsmen with their variations leaving him completely clueless about what has happened.

I’ll get to play if I’m good enough: R Ashwin

Ashwin feels “adaptability” has been the key to success for spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in South Africa. “I think there is a bit of novelty factor there. It is not about wrist finger or finger spin. It is about the ability to adapt,” said R Ashwin when asked about the key to success.

Further, he went on to say that people thought there was no place for spinners when T20 started. To justify his statement, he said that the finger spinners and later wrist spinners dominated the T20 game. He added that it was all about the adaptability to the conditions.

Ashwin is a regular in India’s Test squad but has lost out his place in the limited-overs side since the ICC Champions Trophy in England last year. But Ashwin said he was not losing sleep over his ODI place and instead was focusing on strengthening his armory. “As I told you I can only do my part. I don’t think I am at that phase of my career that I am not going to fret much and look forward to something,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Ashwin also added that he was giving his best and said he will be selected if he is good enough. The lanky off-spinner has also been working hard with his leg spin. He wishes to try it out at the IPL this year and believes it will be a good addition to his armor.