Mauka hai, Dastur hai: Pant entices Ashwin to bowl leg-spin vs England

Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was heard enticing Ravichandran Ashwin to bowl a leg-spin delivery during the team’s T20 World Cup warm-up game against England.”Yehi mauka hai, yehi dastur hai,”(translated as this is the chance) Pant went on. India defeated Jos Buttler and company by seven wickets. 

After being out of the limited overs circuit for four years, Ravi Ashwin was selected in India’s squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup. The Delhi off-spinner played the warm-up game against England on Monday, October 18 at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2021: Key takeaways from India’s first warm-up game vs England

Although, Ashwin could not pick a wicket, he was India’s most economical bowler. The Tamil Nadu-born player delivered at an economy rate of 5.75 rpo. He gave away 23 runs in his four-over quota. 

In the 11th over, when Ashwin was called to bowl with Jonny Bairstow on strike, Pant asked him to bowl leg-spin. The wicketkeeper said that it was the right time for him to show his guile with the ball in hand.

“Armaan pura karne ka yahi mauka hai (This is your chance to fulfill your dreams). Leg spin karne ka. Mauka bhi hai, dastoor bhi hai,” Pant was heard saying from behind the stumps. Ashwin bowled a half-tracker and Bairstow pulled the ball away to the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

  Also read: BCCI VP says India can’t refuse to play Pak amid calls to scrap T20 WC tie

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Ashwin is an off-spinner. However, for the past year he has been trying to bring the leg-spin into his arsenal. The former CSK player has used the leg-spin in the IPL. 

For India, Ishan Kishan notched 70 off 46 balls with seven fours and three sixes and his fellow opener KL Rahul scored a 24-ball 51 at a strike rate of 212.50.

  Also read: T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli reveals India’s opening pair, his batting position

Pant remained unbeaten at 29 off 14 balls as India chased down 189 runs with one over to spare.

Mohammed Shami picked up three wickets conceding 40 runs off four overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar got one wicket apiece.