Off-spinner to unveil new tricks in Champions Trophy
Mumbai: Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin won Wednesday the coveted ‘International Cricketer of the Year’ award at the ‘CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2017’.
The award was presented to Ashwin by former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar and Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, at a function conducted at the Cricket Club of India auditorium.
Ashwin was the wrecker-in-chief with 99 wickets during the home season, where India won 10 of their 13 Tests played against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia.
Meanwhile, young batsman Shubhman Gill won the ‘Young Player of the Year’ award for his superb performance during the India-England U-19 ODI series played in Mumbai.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashwin recalled that his first autograph was the one he had taken from Gavaskar at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. He also also praised Tamil Nadu offie Washington Sundar for his impressive show in the IPL while playing for Rising Pune Supergiant.
“Washington did really well in the Vijay Hazare trophy. I had heard from a couple of people that he is doing well. He has got good idea of how to bowl in T20s and to ball with the new ball is a massive challenge. The pace and the length which he hit was very critical,” pointed out Ashwin.
Meanwhile, rejuvenated after a two-month break, Ashwin also said that he is ready with a bagful of new tricks, which he hopes to display during the upcoming Champions Trophy.
“I might be able to throw something new in this tournament (Champions Trophy), hopefully. I am equipped enough to do so. The two warm-up games (versus New Zealand and Bangladesh) will give me an indication on how well I go in the tournament,” said India’s premier off-spinner. “I want to bring something new to the table and give something new to the team,” he added.
On a very successful season that went by, Ashwin termed it as ‘surreal’. “Honestly feels surreal right now as I had a month-and-half break. These wickets (in the past season) have come and they are result of how much have strived for excellence,” he pointed out.
PTI
