'Today I got blessings from my idol' - Mahesh Pithiya brims with pride after meeting Ravichandran Ashwin

Gujarat's Mahesh Pithiya became an overnight sensation after the visiting Australian side roped in the youngster as their net bowler. He was invited to the Australian camp because of his bowling action, which closely resembles to that of Ravichandran Ashwin. The youngster revealed taking the blessings of his idol Ravichandran Ashwin when he met him during India's practice session on Tuesday.

The Australian team, in their attempt to counter the threat of Indian bowling ace Ravichandran Ashwin, roped in Mahesh Pithiya as a net bowler. The relatively unknown cricketer, who hails from a working-class family, has become the talk of the town ever since bowling to the Australian batters in the nets.

The youngster is a huge admirer of Ashwin and was beaming with pride after he got to meet his idol on Tuesday. He revealed exchanging a few words with the veteran Indian cricketer, who enquired about his bowling routine against the visitors. Pithiya touched Ashwin's feet and even received a thumbs-up from Virat Kohli as a token of appreciation.

"I had got Smith out at least six times in the nets on the first day and today I got blessings from my idol (Ashwin). I have always wanted to bowl like him. When I met him as he was entering the nets, I touched his feet and sought his blessings. He hugged me and then asked what exactly am I bowling to the Australians. Virat Kohli also smiled at me and gestured thumbs up and wished me luck," Pithiya said to The New Indian Express.

My job is to mainly bowl to Steve Smith in the Australia nets: Pithiya

The budding cricketer revealed his delight in working with the No.1 ranked Test side in the world. He has been consistently bowling to Australia's Steve Smith and even managed to dismiss him a few times in the nets. He received encouraging words from veteran Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon, who helped Pithiya grip the ball and taught him the nuances of spin bowling.

"It has been amazing to work with this Australian side. My job is to mainly bowl to Steve Smith in the Australia nets. He didn't ask me to bowl anything specific. Lyon first asked me to show my grip and explain what I do while rolling my fingers. He then explained how I can get more revs (rotation) on the ball and also how my front leg (left) should land. He told me to have confidence in my ability," he added.

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