Ashwin happy to take a back seat to quicks

India

India spinner Ravi Ashwin is not worried about being his side's premier wicket-taker at the World Cup, and feels his role is more of a pressure-builder during the batting power plays on quicker decks.

Because the tracks are not really made for him, Ashwin has focused on getting batsmen to make mistakes and hit out, and take valuable wickets that way. That being said, he has only had one game without a wicket, so isn't ineffective.

Ashwin said of his role in the side: "As far as the spinner is concerned, when I come in, I've got that little bit more freedom.

"I think the batting powerplay is a very good time to attack because you don't give a lot of singles and it is pretty much about boundaries and wickets.

"I like to throw myself in the middle and try and see how much of an impact I can make in a game against Chris Gayle or AB de Villiers.

"I look to get them out in the middle because once you get them out the game is going to go your way."

Skipper MS Dhoni was pleased with Ashwin's efforts, despite the pace attack taking much of the credit, saying he could always rely on Ashwin to do his part, and didn't like fielding a side without him.

Dhoni said of his spinner during the group stage: "Ashwin is someone I have always loved to have in my side.

"I have always pushed him to bowl in the powerplays and difficult situations. He is really confident about his bowling. He understands his bowling well.

"The good thing with him is he keeps improving himself. Every time he is part of the series, he sees the challenges and accordingly improves."

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