R Ashwin, Amit Mishra keen to exploit West Indian conditions

Spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra, who enjoyed a highly successful IPL with 20 and 19 wickets respectively, were in high spirits ahead of the team's departure to the West Indies during the early hours of Wednesday. Both are expected to play a key role in the five-match ODI series on traditionally slow and low surfaces.

Having spun Chennai to a second consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) title, Ashwin, who is in the West Indies for the first time, is excited about the alien conditions. "It's an exciting prospect for me, I have never toured there before.

R Ashwin

Amit Mishra

"The conditions over there are supposed to be very different. I am looking forward to taking the confidence from the IPL and World Cup into this tour," Ashwin told reporters soon after the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) awards on Tuesday.

No seniors
When asked if the team would miss the senior players, he snapped: "There are seniors in this team. Suresh and Bhajji are there ufffdthey are senior players. It was important for seniors such as Viru Pa (Sehwag) and Sachin Pa (Tendulkar) to get some rest after a gruelling period of six months. There was no other option."

Ashwin reckoned 'he has no other option' but to feel fresh with regards to hectic schedule. "Yes, it's just been four days since the IPL but I am enjoying the momentum. I have to feel fresh. The ball is coming out nicely. I just want to enjoy the conditions. Spinners usually do well there," he said.

Asked about a new delivery in his bowling repertoire, Ashwin said: "It's difficult to keep producing new deliveries.

"However, it is very important for a spinner to constantly innovate. I am always doing that. If there is a new delivery, you will see it soon. Sometimes it's hard to tell (when) you've mastered something."

Meanwhile, Mishra is glad to have pipped Piyush Chawla from the World Cup squad. "I was being looked at as a four or five-day bowler but I did well in the IPL.

"I am glad the selectors and seniors are supporting me. This is my big chance to shine in 50-over cricket," the
28-year old leggie told MiD DAY during the BCCI awards.