ICC T20 World Cup 2022: 'Bigger boundaries give license to the bowlers to work with' - Ashwin

India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels that the more extensive boundaries in Australia will give the bowlers independence to attack, unlike the smaller Indian grounds, where one is pushed to operate defensive tactics. India will remain in Perth for a week before moving to Brisbane for the International Cricket Council's (ICC) warm-up matches ahead of the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup opener against arch-rival Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23. Ashwin, who did not bowl in India's opening warm-up match against Western Australia at the WACA Stadium in Perth on Monday, had also witnessed the England-Australia match at the Perth Stadium on Sunday alongside some of his teammates.

"We can get caught up with what happens in T20s and bilaterals back home. Only fair to say that bowlers are getting hit around the park, but we also need to understand that boundaries are very close to the 30-yard circle in India. When you come to Australia, the boundaries are far bigger, which gives license to the bowlers to work with. It is also essential to know the lengths you have to bowl, so you got to be brave enough to take 50-50 options in these places," said Ashwin following the practice tie win.

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India's leading team landed Down Under well ahead of the ICC affair, while a second-string team faces South Africa in the One-Day International (ODI) series at home. Ashwin said that reaching Australia early was a no-brainer. "Two weeks to go for the T20 World Cup, and it is a marquee event, and we are taking it as seriously as we can. We are here to acclimatise because we have never been to Australia during this time," he stated.

"So, it was important that we got here early and got used to the pace and bounce. There are a few guys who are new to the team, so it will be a great time for them to acclimatise," added Ashwin. Speaking about the warm-up contest: "Pretty much a game of good cricket, and no matter how many times you come to Australia and England, you must put in those miles early on."

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"By the time the first game comes, you need to be up and running and sure about what the conditions will be. Even watching games like yesterday, it is vital to understand how the game is being played in this part of the world," remarked Ashwin. India has recently tasted a lot of success in Australia, including consecutive Test series wins. Ashwin expressed that the side would draw a belief from that.

"Whatever you say when you have special memories in a particular place, you will come there backing yourself to the hilt. The last one went our way, but we also played excellent white-ball cricket on that leg. That is something we can draw from. We have played a lot of cricket in Australia in the last decade," Ashwin wondered.

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"Everything put together. We are looking to make a quick adaption, and no better place than Perth to get used to the Australian conditions, the bounce and speed," continued Ashwin. India plays Pakistan 12 months after its opening loss to the arch-rival in World Cup history. The head-to-head still favours India 12-1. Still, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Ramiz Raja, recently said the "billion dollar" Indian side eventually began to respect Pakistan as an opponent.

"Until you said that, I didn't know he made a statement like that. That is one way of dealing with it. But, look, it is a game of cricket. Whatever political tensions, we don't play very often. The rivalry is big. It means a lot to the people of both countries, but at the end of the day, you do understand as a sportsperson that wins and losses are part of the game," Ashwin answered.

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"Especially in this format, the margins are going to be so close, and to respect an opposition is not something that comes with wins and defeats it comes in the way you are made, and we definitely respect the Pakistan side, and so do they," concluded Ashwin.

(With inputs from PTI)