R Ashwin batted with flow and freedom and a test pitch.
“There was a time when I was eager to be technically correct and I lost some of my fluency in the process,” he said after the first day’s play here.
“Now I am playing my natural game more. I am in a position to play some shots that some experts might not be able to do,” he said.
Ashwin said, ‘I have been batting well since the Australia series. Batting coach Vikram Rathour has been helpful.
He said there was no intentional plan for him to attack. “The first ball was straight so I drove straight. So I just answered the balls.”
When asked about Mohammad Siraj’s fitness, he said, “The medical team is assessing him. Knowing his history, he should come back and bowl for us.
On match-winning totals at Wanderers, Ashwin said, “It’s always good to bat first and score 250. South Africa have scored 250 runs here and have dominated Test matches from there.”
About the surface, he said, “The pitch was two-speed. Slightly different from a typical Wanderers pitch. ,
Asked about the influential left-arm pacer Marco Jensen, who has been impressive against India, he said, “Lefts always add variety. He has height and buoyancy. He’s special. Good side on action, gets close to the wickets. ,
On KL Rahul’s adoption of Test cricket, he said, “He has found a formula for success in Test cricket. Obviously he has the talent and skill set. There is no one formula for Test. It keeps questioning you.” “
On the role played with the ball, Ashwin said, “No one can predict how the pitch will behave. Hopefully, some footprints will develop and may be of some help to me. ,
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