India's Right Arm Off break R Ashwin was announced as the CEAT International Cricketer of the Year for finishing a scintillating year with 99 wickets, which included 9 five wicket hauls. Rewarding and encouraging young talent, India Under-19’s Shubman Gill was awarded as CEAT Young Player of the Year.
"last year I was honored with the International Bowler of the Year award.’ said the off-spinner on reccieving the award.“And it's only become bigger and better with this award. It's an absolute honor to receive this award and given the players who have won this award before me, it's a huge motivator as well to keep the consistency going.”
Speaking on the occasion cricket legend and the chief adjudicator of the CEAT Cricket Rating, Sunil Gavaskar said, "The CEAT International Cricket Awards are one of the most coveted awards in the cricketing world simply because they are given purely on performance and not on any subjective likes or dislikes."
‘WIll SHOW something new in CT’
Mumbai: Rejuvenated after a two-month break, India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says that he is ready with a bagful of new tricks, which he hopes to display during the upcoming Champions Trophy.
After a gruelling home season of 13 Tests, Ashwin was advised rest during the IPl and the tweaker's next assignment is India's Champions Trophy defence.
"I might be able to throw something new in this tournament (Champions Trophy), hopefully. I am equipped enough to do so. The two warm-up games (vs New Zealand, vs Bangladesh) will give me an indication on how well I go in the tournament," Ashwin said on the sidelines of the CEAT Tyres annual awards function.
"It depends on how well my variations will come to fore, so just hoping that these practice matches can be put to good use and I bring something in new to the table and give something new to the team," a confident Ashwin said.
Ashwin said that changed rules with four fielders outside the 30-yard circle and two new balls from both ends forces every bowler to think out of the box.
"There have been rule changes to what ICC has done to one day format, and there is no point in going with same set of skills time and again, unless the game change your skill or let the game take the demand out of you.
"It's been going through my head and I have been working on lot of stuff based on how the game is changing," said the experienced spinner.
Ashwin feels that one needs to prepare keeping placid wickets in mind.
"I feel you have to be prepared for any challenge thrown at you and I generally expect placid wickets and that's the way I prepare for limited overs format. As far pressure is concerned, it is about handling one game at a time, as you build up to every game, you start becoming a favorite."
On a very successful season that went by, Ashwin termed it as "surreal".
"Honestly feels surreal right now as I had a month and half break. These wickets (in the past season) have come and they are result of how much have strived for excellence, all I am trying to do is use this experience," said Ashwin.