Variation remains key for Ashwin

Spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin is looking forward to challenging the England batsmen with a plethora of variations, come Tuesday's fourth ODI at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin is looking forward to challenging the England batsmen with a plethora of variations, come Tuesday's fourth ODI at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Ashwin was named Man of the Match on the back of telling figures of three for 39 in the third match, which the Indians won comfortably to take a two-nil lead in the five-match series.

"Using variations is something very condition- or situation-based for me. It is not like I put it back in locker and close it out. If it is something I feel like using I will use it," said Ashwin.

"Sometimes it gets to me when people say, 'Oh he overused it.' For all you know I am someone who goes by the exact numbers and statistics. If I know I haven't used it and people go on and on about it, I get a little mad. That is not the case here.

"I got convinced quickly with what I was doing, and from there on it was about sticking with it. Sometimes the results come quickly, sometimes they don't. I am someone who will persevere with it if I have bought into it."

The 27-year-old Ashwin has taken 111 wickets in 87 ODIs, including a career-best three for 24 against New Zealand in Chennai in December 2010. He has also snared 107 victims in Tests – and 25 in Twenty20 International cricket.

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