Former England superstar reveals how he used to dominate Ravichandran Ashwin in India

Prior to the forthcoming five-Test series, former England middle-order batter Kevin Pietersen disclosed that he had become an expert at playing Ravichandran Ashwin’s “doosra” while on tour in India. The former right-hander gave an explanation of how the seasoned player packs up his “doosra,”. Moreover, he was assured of hitting the ball outside the park.

With an exceptional record, Ashwin has been an essential member of Team India’s lineup, particularly in home Tests. In 55 home Test matches, the 37-year-old has claimed 337 wickets including 26 five-wicket hauls. Pietersen’s performance in nine games at 43.94 in India is amazing, with his greatest score being 186.

While speaking to Michael Atherton for Times.co.uk, the former England batter said, “I picked Ashwin’s ‘doosra’. He used to load the ball at the back of his run-up and I think he still does that now. Ashwin never ran up with the ball in his hand as an off-spinner and changed it late for the doosra; you can’t do that. He loaded it up early.”

The cricket expert claimed to have known when Ashwin would bowl the delivery. He would have been prepared beforehand to smash the ball through the off-side. He said, “I was 100 percent confident when he was going to bowl it and you’d see how many times I hit him over the off side. I’d see the doosra at the back of his mark and because he had a stacked leg-side field because the ball was turning so much, I’d think ‘four or six.”

“Just make sure you are not getting bowled or LBW” : Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen clarified that English batters need to exercise caution to avoid being bowled or leg before wicket.

The former England batter said, “If your feet are good and you are not planting your front foot and you are playing down the line of the ball, you should be fine. Just make sure you are not getting bowled or lbw. If you nick it to slip, no problem at all. If you get bowled or lbw that’s a big issue.”