‘Today I got blessings from my idol’ – says Ravi Ashwin’s ‘duplicate’ after meeting him

Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin‘s ‘duplicate’ Mahesh Pithiya met his idol in Nagpur on Tuesday, February 7, ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pithiya, the off-spinner from Gujarat who has an uncanny resemblance to Ashwin was roped in by Australia as a net bowler for the upcoming series against India.

In an interview with PTI, Mahesh was beaming while asked about his meeting with Ashwin. He said that his idol asked him about what he was bowling to the Australian batsmen in nets and after that he touched Ashwin’s feet and sought his blessings. He also said that Virat Kohli also wished him luck.

“Today I got blessings from my idol. I have always wanted to bowl like him. When I am met him as he was entering the nets, I touched his feet and sought his blessings. He hugged me and then asked what exactly am I bowling to the Australians. Virat Kohli also smiled at me and gestured thumbs up and wished me luck,” Mahesh told PTI.

Not Thinking about the Indian T20 League, says Mahesh Pithiya

Mahesh who made Ranji Trophy debut for Baroda in 2022 has only played four first class matches so far. He said that he is focusing only on Ranji Trophy and not thinking about getting selected in the Indian T20 League.

“I have started my journey in Ranji Trophy and I want to focus on my red ball game. I want to cement my place in the Baroda side. I am not thinking about IPL now,” he said.

While asked about his style of bowling as a slider like Ashwin he said, “No, I don’t bowl carrom ball or doosra. My stock ball is off the break and another ball that I have myself developed is one that has a bit of backspin in it.  But I bowl that in white-ball cricket.”

The 21-year old Baroda off-spinner who will be playing till the start of the second Test in Delhi also said that he is happy to work with the Australian side. He also said that bowling to Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne has been a life-changing experience for him. He added that he had got out Smith at least six times in the nets on the first day.

“It has been amazing to work with this Australian side. My job is to mainly bowl to Steve Smith at Australia nets. He didn’t ask me to bowl anything specific. I am there with the team till February 17. It has been a life changer for me,” he said.