We are not thinking about the quarter-finals yet: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin speaks in a press conference ahead of West Indies clash

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that any bowler’s rhythm can get shaken up when a batsman goes after them and added that he would personally look to attack the batsman and get the wicket when he is looking to hit for boundaries and sixes. He mentioned that India are not focussing on the quarter finals and consider every match as a knockout game. The Men in Blue are currently at the top of the Group B and face West Indies at the WACA, Perth on Friday.

“It’s not just Chris Gayle, it’s any other batsman in world cricket. Anybody who attacks wants to put you off.” he said.

“I go strongly for getting the wicket of any batsman that I think is dangerous because I like it. I like to throw myself in the middle and try to see how much I can make an impact in that particular game. Be it Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers anybody, I look to get them out in the middle.” Ashwin said in a press conference on Thursday.

No particular plans to tackle Gayle: Ashwin

The 28-year-old also said that he had no specific plan in mind to tackle the Chris Gayle threat that looms large on Friday and would look to stick to what he has been doing in the tournament so far.

“There are no particular plans. I mean, it’s pretty simple…It’s pretty much about boundaries and wickets, and you can restrict the hitting to one side and see if you can get a wicket or two.” he said.

Every game is like a knockout game: Ashwin

The off-spinner has impressed everyone in the competition so far and has picked up 8 wickets in 3 matches, that includes a man-of-the-match performance of 4 for 25 in 10 overs against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last Saturday. Speaking about his display, Ashwin said that he was very happy about picking wickets and that helps in boosting his confidence further.

“I’m pleased. It is quite heartening to get wickets.It gives you a lot of confidence. But in terms of preparation for the game, it’s going to be the same. Because we prepare for every other team like we prepare for the big teams. It’s not going to be very different. We’re pretty confident about executing tomorrow,” he said.

Even though MS Dhoni’s men have played some fabulous cricket in this World Cup so far and are yet to lose a game in the tournament, the Tamil Nadu cricketer felt that the team have a lot of work to do before they can start thinking about the quarter-final stage.

“I don’t think we’re there. There are three (group) games (left) and Ireland’s also played good cricket. We’re pretty aware of what’s happening around us in the group. It’s very important that we take it one game at a time. We like to treat every game like it’s a knockout game,” the off-spinner said.

Anil Kumble has always been my role model: Ashwin

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowler also responded to the high praise that former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble had bestowed upon him, when he told that Ashwin reminds him of himself. Ashwin said that he had always considered the 44-year-old ICC Hall-of-Famer as a role model for the way he responded when he found his backs against the wall.

“To actually hear that from him is a big honour. At the same time, they are big boots to fill. It’s not as easy as he made it sound, but I’m really pleased.”

“I’ve always maintained that Kumble is one of my big heroes because every time he’s been put in the corner he’s come out really successfully. That is one aspect I really admire about him. There have been times people have asked me who is your role model and I actually told them Kumble is one of my role models,” he said.