T20 World Cup 2022: Ashwin showed presence of mind to leave the ball against Pakistan: Mhambrey

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Sydney, October 26: R Ashwin leaving the penultimate ball against Pakistan, and the resultant wide closing the margin between the two teams have become a viral topic in the social media.

India needed 2 runs off 1 ball to beat Pakistan at the MCG last Sunday, and Ashwin left spinner Mohammad Nawaz deliver that slid down the leg side as umpires called it wide.

It reduced the equation to 1 run from 1 ball and Ashwin knocked it off without much fuss. India’s bowling coach Para Mhambrey lauded Ashwin for showing that presence of mind in a boiling pressure situation.

“When it comes to Ashwin, it is him who tells us that this is what I am going to do. It is just the way he is. He showed his composure and the presence of mind to actually leave that ball. If you look at it, any other individual at that stage would just swing his bat but that is Ashwin for you,” Mhambrey said.

Mhambrey also praised the way young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh handled the pressure of an India vs Pakistan match and delivered the goods in the shape of big wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

“If we follow him (Arshdeep) for the last couple of years, looking at the way he's performed I think the one thing that stands out with that kid is his ability to build pressure.

He did hard work in IPL and he is doing hard work in different phases he bowls (for India) i.e. the first powerplay and then death overs," Mhambrey said in the pre-match press conference.

“The composure he has shown, the clarity of thought process I think there will be ups and downs in his career but the way he has come back (after Asia Cup) the ability to handle pressure is phenomenal.

I am not really surprised the way he has bowled in the first game (against Pakistan). We have a lot of confidence in him and he has a good future,” he added.

Mhambrey also praised all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who played a crucial role in the match against Pakistan.

India looked in no position to win the match after they were reduced to 31/4 while chasing a target of 160 runs.

But 'Chasemaster' Virat Kohli brought them back into the match with a brilliant stand of 113 with Hardik Pandya, who played a crucial knock of 40 from 37 deliveries as well.

Indian bowling coach also confirmed that Hardik Pandya is fit and has no thoughts of resting him against the Netherlands. Hardik had seemed to be struggling with cramps in the match against Pakistan.

India will play the Netherlands next, with the match scheduled for October 27 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.

“Hardik gives you that balance and option. He bowls you those four overs. Hardik wants to play all the matches. We are not thinking of resting him and no one is looking for rest.

Hardik played a crucial knock. Virat finished the game but Hardik also played a crucial role. He gives you an option with both bat and ball. Pandya is fine and is available for the game against the Netherlands,” Mhambrey said.