After India included stalwart spinner R Ashwin in the squad of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Australian team management called Gujarat local bowler Mahesh Pithania to their practice session, who has a similar bowling style as Ashwin.
However, the bowler has denied the request as he has others commitment.
Earlier, the Australian team had taken the help of Pithania in the nets during their visit to India early this year for the test series. This time also, Aussies wanted to prepare themselves against Ashwin in the practice session by playing Pithania in Chennai, where India and Australia will start their CWC campaign.
Pithania said that this time he declined the offer as he would be playing domestic cricket.
“I got the call from Pritesh Joshi, a sidearm specialist; he is with the Australian squad this time and helping them on nets. By the time R Ashwin joined the squad, he called me and said to pack my bags and join the Australia team at Chennai as they want you on nets, but I declined the offer this time as the home season of cricket is coming ahead and I have to play, and this time I am busy in practice and other training.
India have brought in veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in place of injured all-rounder Axar Patel after his phenomenal performance against Australia in the recent ODI series.
Ashwin impressed in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, where he took three wickets in the second ODI at Indore.
