India vs Bangladesh: Ravi Ashwin emulates Sanath Jayasuriya's bowling action

Ravi Ashwin is one bowler who never shies away from trying out different variations with the ball. The India star has never really relied on traditional off-spins to get the work done. At the start of his international career, he made a name for himself with the carom ball. In this year’s IPL, he had also tried out leg-spins after his off-spins were failing to make much of a difference.

And it looks like Ashwin will come up with the mother of all variations when India take on Bangladesh in the second Test at the Eden Gardens. Ahead of the historic day-night Test in the iconic stadium, Team India were practicing in Indore to get a taste of pink ball. Having wrapped up the Test inside three days, India decided to utilise the two days to train with the pink ball.

Ashwin, meanwhile, was seen bowling with his left hand during the team’s practice session. The Tamil Nadu ace spinner, in all probability, tried to emulate Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya in a playful manner. Ashwin completely aced the bowling style and even turned the ball with his left hand. Recently, the spinner admitted that bowling with the pink ball will be a challenge.

“Obviously, it’s a challenge to play with the pink ball. The ball has a lot more lacquer. I haven’t even bowled a single ball with the pink ball. Obviously I just saw it. Sometimes I don’t understand if its orange or pink, still coming to terms with that,” Ashwin had said on Thursday after the first day’s play against Bangladesh.

Here is a clip of Ravi Ashwin bowling with his left hand:

Interesting!! @ashwinravi99 emulating Sanath Jayasuriya's bowling action in Indore with the pink ball #pinkballTest #Cricket #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/dUXAJVebyh

— Rohit Juglan रोहित जुगलान روہت جگلان۔ (@rohitjuglan) November 17, 2019

India thrash Bangladesh to take lead

India, meanwhile, made light work of Bangladesh in the first Test to take an unassailable lead in the series. The hosts won the series-opener by an innings and 130 runs. Barring the toss, nothing much went Bangladesh’s way in the game. They were all out for just 150 in the first innings after deciding to bat first on a green top.

In reply, India piled up a mammoth 493 for 6 before declaring their innings. In-form opener Mayank Agarwal starred with the bat, scoring a career-best 243. He was well supported by the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane as the trio scored fifties.  In the second innings, Bangladesh were all out for 213.

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