IND vs AUS 2023: I don’t think it will be a huge challenge – Irfan Pathan expects Ravichandran Ashwin to get the better of David Warner

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan expects Ravichandran Ashwin to get the better of David Warner in the upcoming Test series against Australia. Ashwin has a great record against the left-handers and he will look to continue the good show against the visitors.

Warner has been dismissed 10 times by Ashwin in Test cricket and averages a dismal 18.2 against him. Thus, the Indian veteran spinner holds his wood on the left-hander. Furthermore, Ashwin has accounted for Warner on five occasions in the home conditions.

When asked if Ravichandran Ashwin vs David Warner will be a contest to watch out for in the upcoming Test series, Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “No doubt about that, because if you look at his history as well, nearly 50% of Ravichandran Ashwin’s wickets have come against left-handed batters. No bowler in history has taken more than 200 left-handed batters’ wickets. Those are outstanding numbers. So if he sees David Warner coming in front of him, I don’t think it will be a huge challenge.”

Meanwhile, Warner has been in good form in the recent past as he recently scored a double century in the pink-ball Test match against South Africa but Pathan feels Ashwin will trouble Warner in the series.

“I know that Warner just scored a double hundred. He will be very, very confident right now, especially with his batting, because he was struggling for runs, but the challenge in India is different – the challenge of the pitches and the challenge of Ravichandran Ashwin – that’s going to be very, very mighty and I think Ashwin will definitely trouble David Warner in this series.”

On the other hand, former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar reckons it will be difficult for the Australian batters to handle Ravichandran Ashwin as he has got a lot of variations under his repertoire.

“It’s going to be a double threat for Australian batters because Ravichandran Ashwin, obviously with his guile and subtle change of pace, has various types of releases. One of the fascinating parts of Ravichandran Ashwin’s wizardry is the way he sort of gives you the impression that he is going to turn the ball but the ball tends to go on straight and hit the pads of the left-handers.”
“Once he bowls that sort of a delivery, there is enough doubt in the batter’s mind whether to play for the straight ball or whether to play for the turning ball. So I feel because of that, it will be extremely difficult and he will continue to have a stranglehold on a lot of their left-handers.”

The first Test match between India and Australia will be played in Nagpur from February 9.