IND vs AUS: The passionate Australian net bowler touched his feet as soon as he met his ideal, has bowled Smith many times

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The biggest problem for the Australian batsmen will be Ashwin, in whose spin the Kangaroo team has always been trapped. For this, he is practicing on Mahesh's balls, so that he does not face any problem.

Ashwin and Mahesh - Photo: Social Media\

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The Australian team is currently on a tour of India. The four-match Test series between the two teams is going to start from Thursday, February 9. However, before this series, there is a lot of discussion about an Australian net bowler. The name of this bowler is Mahesh Pithia. Mahesh has been included by the Australian team as a net bowler. The special thing about Mahesh is that he bowls like India's legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The action of both is also similar. However, after meeting Ashwin, Mahesh got emotional and took his blessings by touching his feet.

The Test series against India is also important for Australia. At the same time, to reach the final of the World Test Championship, the Indian team also has to win this Test series. In such a situation, the Australian team does not want to give any chance to India. Players like Pat Cummins, Steve Smith have called winning in India a bigger victory than the Ashes. The biggest thorn in this will be Ashwin, in whose spin the Australian team has always been trapped. For this, he is practicing on Mahesh's balls, so that he does not face any problem.


Mahesh (above) and Ashwin (below) have striking similarities in their actions

Mahesh has played only four first-class matches so far, but his action and accurate spin have troubled the Australian batsmen in the nets so far. Mahesh himself tells about this – I got Steve Smith out five to six times in the nets on the first day itself. He tells that he used to watch Ashwin's bowling while standing in a corner during the nets. The 21-year-old Mahesh has gained a lot of fame among Indian players and fans as well.

He told- I took blessings from my idol Ashwin today. I always wanted to bowl like him. When I met him today, he was coming to the nets. I touched his feet and took his blessings. Ashwin hugged me and asked what special practice I was giving to the Australian batsmen. Virat Kohli who was present there also smiled at me and wished me all the best. Saying all this Mahesh had a smile on his face.

Mahesh has recently started his journey in senior cricket for Baroda and wants to focus on that for the time being. Mahesh, who worked at a tea shop till a few years ago, said- I have started my journey in Ranji Trophy and I want to focus on my red ball cricket. I want to cement my place in the Baroda team. I am not thinking about IPL right now.

When Mahesh was asked what is the specialty of his bowling? Does he have a carrom ball or a slider like Ashwin? To this he replied- No, I do not throw carrom ball or anything else. My stock ball is off break and another ball that I have developed myself has a bit of backspin. However, I bowl in white ball cricket. Mahesh currently lives with his parents, elder brother and sister-in-law. Bowling to Smith and world number one Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne has been a life-changing experience for him.

Mahesh says- It has been amazing to work with this Australian team. My job is mainly to bowl to Steve Smith in Australia's nets session. He didn't ask me to bowl anything special. Mahesh considers himself fortunate to have been traveling a lot in conversation with Nathan Lyon, who has given him some invaluable tips on the art of off-spin. He said- Leon first asked me to show my strength and told what I do while rolling my fingers. He then explained how I could get more revs (rotation) on the ball and also how my front leg (left) should land. He has faith in my ability. 

The Australian team will keep Mahesh with them as a net bowler till the start of the second Test in Delhi. He said- I am with the Australian team till 17 February. It has been a life changing experience for me. The first match between India and Australia will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. In the absence of Rishabh Pant, Ishaan Kishan may get the responsibility of wicketkeeping. At the same time, Shreyas Iyer is also injured. In such a situation, Suryakumar Yadav can get a chance. 

India squad for first two Tests against Australia:
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Akshar Patel , Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.

india vs australia test series schedule

match	date	match	the venue
first test	February 9 – 13	first test	Nagpur
second test	17 – 21 February	second test	Delhi
third test	March 1 – 5	third test	Hospice
fourth test	March 9 – 13	fourth test	Ahmedabad