Cricket: I am hungry and prepared to hunt, says Ashwin

India off-spinner Ashwin confident ahead of tournament opener.

India spin sensation Ravichandran Ashwin, who is expected to play a key role in Sri Lanka, is confident of a good show at the mega event.

Ashwin has taken just seven wickets in 11 Twenty20 internationals but is tipped as the attack’s spearhead. The off-spinner believes he has what it takes to shine in a format considered difficult for spinners.

“I have a lot of courage and faith in myself,” said Ashwin. “I had the opportunity of bowling for India in the T20s and I grabbed it with both hands. I was like someone that was very hungry and prepared to hunt. I replaced Muttiah Muralitharan in the Chennai Super Kings line-up, so I must be doing something right in this format of the game.”

Ashwin also expressed delight on the faith skipper MS Dhoni has showed in his ability, having asked him to open the bowling in previous Twenty20 matches.

‘He certainly has faith in me and I am very happy that I repaid his faith.’

Ashraful relishing  opening role

Meanwhile, Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Ashraful wants to keep contributing at the top of the order in collaboration with Tamim Iqbal, according to iccworldtwenty20.com.

“I guess the opener’s role has suited me well,” said Ashraful. “I have been opening the innings for a while now and have made some important contributions while batting with Tamim. Hopefully, the tracks for the main tournament games will be more batting-friendly and I will try to take this form into those games.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2012.