IND vs ENG: R Ashwin is constantly reinventing himself, says VVS Laxman

Former India batsman VVS Laxman said that R Ashwin is a thinking cricketer, who is constantly reinventing himself, insisting that preparation is the key to the Veteran off-spinner’s success. Recently Ashwin became the fourth Indian bowler to take 400 Test wickets, while he achieved the feat by dismissing Jofra Archer in the pink ball Test at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

After Sri Lanka spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, Ashwin became the second fastest bowler to reach the landmark.

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“I think Ashwin is a very intelligent person. When you are playing at the highest level, then it’s not only about your skill, it’s about your preparation and planning and excitation is so critical.”

Laxman said on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’, “So, he works out what are the weaknesses of the batsman. He plans those dismissals and that’s why I think he is reinventing himself.”

To prove his point, Laxman said, “We saw recently in the Australia series how Ashwin troubled someone as great as Steve Smith and that’s another thing that makes Ashwin or any champion player special, that he wants to be the best and compete against the best,” he said.