Ashwin reveals how his riskiest idea helped Sandeep Sharma outwit Dhoni
The Rajasthan Royals did an impressive double over the Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League, as they defeated CSK at their home ground in the first leg and then cruised to a 32-run win over them at home. Although their second was far more dominant, they earned praise for their third and victory over Chennai, and Sandeep Sharma was the architect of that sensational win.
Weeks after the victory, off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is also part of the Rajasthan Royals playing 11 in the IPL, spoke in detail about the final over and also revealed that he had actually suggested the first bowler go with the "riskiest" delivery and also explained why he did that.
Ashwin revealed, "Sandeep Sharma bowled that last over to Dhoni, and he smashed him for two sixes. When you are defending 20 runs and a guy like Dhoni has smashed you for two sixes, the odds of you coming out on top of that battle from there are literally none."
Ashwin asked what the highest-risk ball is at this point, to which Sandeep replied, "slower-length ball." Then Ashwin said, "You try bowling that to him now." The Indian off spinner also added, ""At the end of the day, at that point in time, it is the riskiest ball that the batter won’t be expecting. Because he knows that the bowler is under immense pressure."
