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Ravichandran Ashwin says the work done on his batting technique before the start of the season has yielded results in IPL 2022, where Rajasthan Royals have given him the opportunity to bat higher up the order.
Batting at No 3, Ashwin smashed a 38-ball 50 against Delhi Capitals at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, albeit in a losing cause.
"No license has been given. Starting from the season it was communicated to me properly that I will be used as a batter up the order. We had a few practice games where I opened also.
"Have worked a lot on my batting so it's nice to see whatever has been worked on translates into the field," the veteran off-spinner said after the match.
Talking more about the work he put in before the IPL, he said:"I was in good batting rhythm before the start of the season. Worked a little bit on my batting, like tried to transfer my body wait forward, made a little switch on my technique. Pretty good feel about the knock but it didn't come at a winning cause."
Royals are currently placed third in the standings with 14 points from 12 games, while Delhi are positioned at fifth spot with 12 points from as many games.
Ashwin said Royals need to bounce back strongly in their remaining two games to ensure their place in the IPL 2022 play-offs.
"Back end of the tournament is always pressure. Hopefully, we can turn it on and string a couple of wins together," he said.
After the bowlers restricted Royals to 160/6, Mitchell Marsh's 62-ball 89 and David Warner's unbeaten 52 off 41 balls helped Ddelhi overhaul the target with 11 balls to spare. Marsh also picked up two wickets with the ball.
"In the Powerplay the ball was swinging and nipping around, so one of the tougher Powerplay I have batted since I started playing T20 cricket. We assessed that we have to get through powerplay unscatched," Marsh said.
He also heaped praise on fellow Australian Warner.
"I just love batting with Davey (Warner). We have had a lot of great partnerships.
"He is someone I have looked upto for a long time now and I feel very lucky over the last 18 months I was able to bat with him a lot," he said.