Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to Australia’s mind games ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most anticipated Test series of all time. Over the years, the Indian national team has developed a fierce rivalry with Australia, and every time both teams face each other, it is a spectacle to watch.

The first Test is scheduled to commence on February 9 in Nagpur, and the Indian team has already started their preparations for the match. Australia have been unable to beat India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the past three editions, and they would be looking to change that.

Australian batter Steve Smith recently came forward and discussed his team not playing any tour matches ahead of the series. Smith opined that Australia would benefit more from training alone rather than playing tour games on irrelevant Indian pitches. Ravichandran Ashwin took notice of the Australian batter’s comments and branded them as mind games that the Aussies are infamous for doing.

Australia are known for their mind games: Ashwin

In 2017, they played practice matches on a green top, but the match was played on a rank turner, according to Steve Smith. The right-handed batter opined that there is no use of playing tour matches as the pitches in the match are different from those in practice.

Ashwin branded Smith’s comments as the style of cricket and mind games that the Australian team likes to lay out before a series. He also added that the Indian team has also avoided playing warm-up matches in the past due to its packed schedule.

"Smith said, ‘We got a green wicket in Brabourne and a completely opposite one in the first Test (during the 2017 series). In all fairness, it was a rank-turner in Pune. We might have given them the green track, but nobody plans all these things. However, Australia are known for their mind games and sledges before a series. They love doing that. It’s their style of cricket," Ashwin said while previewing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on his YouTube channel.