England skipper Joe Root has said that his team will play Ashwin’s deliveries not his reputation as a top wicket-taker for India in the recent times.
“I think his record speaks for itself. He is a world-class player. We have seen him score runs and take wickets against us and we know what is capable of in Test arena. We will make sure that we are prepared for the challenges he poses coming into this Test match along with other combinations that they might throw at us,” said Root speaking to the media in a virtual interaction on Tuesday.
Ashwin is yet to play his first match of the series.
He said that the England batsmen need to be cautious and not let the reputation of the bowler get to them.
“Ultimately, you can get wrapped up and end up playing the players, play the deliveries that is important. The situation you find yourself in. Whoever it is we face up against this week is, just play the ball, not the reputation. And it will be the same if we come up against him,” he said further.
The five-match Test series stands level at 1-1 after England won the Headingley Test match on Saturday.
“We will certainly be as well-prepared as we can be. We will look at all the analytical data. And also take into (account) the conditions we will be up against and make sure we have the plans in place. They will be coming into a series halfway through, which is never easy and we just have to keep applying the pressure as a bowling group and make it difficult for them,” said Root.
