More than making a “concrete” plan, adapting to the situation could be of greater value for a bowler, especially if the individual happens to be a spinner. That’s how Ravichandran Ashwin looks at it.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, the senior off-spinner has been playing more of a supporting role for the quicks, given the conditions. It’s nothing new for Ashwin though as he has played such a role even in the IPL.

“I think one of the greatest features of T20 cricket is how you adapt to a particular situation given that day or time, the demands of the game, where you are bowling, where you’re not bowling, which batsmen you are up against, what the situations are and all,” Ashwin said on the eve of India’s last group-phase game against Zimbabwe in Melbourne.

“The fast bowlers have set the tone here. As a spinner coming in the back half — the ninth or 10th over — and then doing the job for the back end is a role that we have to adapt to. It’s not like I haven’t done that role before. It happens in the IPL now and then.

“So the demands of the game, what the situation is and what you have to deliver for the team is exactly what adaptations call. You can’t make a concrete plan, go out there and say, ‘This is going to be my plan.’

“You have to adapt to the situation then and there. You see what’s in front of you, what the scorecard is, what the required run rate is and then go about delivering the best ball that you can.

“T20 is one sport where you need to adapt quickly and also respond quickly. You don’t have the time or the bandwidth to think, assess, and deliver. The time spans are very short,” Ashwin explained.

Playing the situation has been Ashwin’s approach so far in this World Cup. “Very often in T20 cricket, picking up wickets might not be the most necessary thing. So you may have to look to adjust as the next person might end up taking the wickets.

“That has been my approach. Playing the situation then and there and gauging the best chance of success for me or for my team...” he elaborated.

Calming effect on Buttler

Sydney: Jos Buttler praised all-rounder Ben Stokes, who brushed off an underwhelming run of form with the bat to usher England into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup with a victory over Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Stokes’s unbeaten 42 from 36 balls helped them safely cross the line following a middle-order collapse.

“These situations, it’s what he’s made for, I’m delighted for him,” said captain Buttler. “While he’s at the crease it gives you a sense of calm.

“He can play a lot of roles, he affects the game in all three facets and he’s a proper competitor and it’s getting to this stage of the competition where you’ll just see him grow and grow.”

Buttler admitted he was a bit tense during the closing stages.

“I’m not a great watcher and I didn’t enjoy that at all,” he said. “We know we had to find a way to win it and thankfully we did. Being in the semi-final is exciting.”

Reuters