5 variations in Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling

#4 Slider

Many a batsman has been knocked off by Ashwin’s slider

The slider is the Indian bowler’s speciality with the new ball. Very often in T20s, the skipper MS Dhoni likes to start the bowling with Ashwin and as the new ball does not turn much, the bowler comes up with sliders.

This delivery is like an out-swinger from a fast bowler but with lesser pace. The seam stays towards the first slip for a right-hander and the ball drifts away from the batsman. The pace of the delivery is on the higher side in comparison to his usual off-spinners which produces more movement in the air.

Quite often on surfaces where there is assistance for spinners more than for fast bowlers, he takes the new ball to put the opposition under pressure right from the start. As the new ball has a more pronounced seam, it aids to grip the ball better and the sliders are a very threatening option during those times.