5 variations in Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling

Modified Oct 10, 2016 13:44 IST

DHAKA, BANGLADESH - APRIL 04: R Ashwin of India celebrates dismissing AB de Villiers of South Africa during the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 semi final between India and South Africa at Sher-e-Bangla Mirpur Stadium on April 4, 2014 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) — Ashwin is a modern day off-spin legend

#3 Top-spin

AHMEDABAD, INDIA - MARCH 24: Ravichandran Ashwin of India celebrates, after bowling Shane Watson of Australia during the 2011 ICC World Cup Quarter Final match between Australia and India at Sardar Patel Stadium on March 24, 2011 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) — Ashwin’s variations are the stuff of legend

This delivery is intended to produce more bounce rather than turn and is probably the most difficult to execute. The seam of the ball remains straight in the flight and when it lands on the seam rather than the lather, it produces more bounce and less turn.

Similar to over-spin, this one is also flighted in the air and lands near the batsman’s feet. The batsman often confuses it with the off-spin and expects the turn, but only manages to edge the ball to either slip or the fielders close in.

Because it produces more bounce with flight, there are chances that the batsman might go for the big shot and the extra height produces the top edge.