T20 World Cup: "Unique and different this time," Ashwin talks on La Nina conditions in Australia

The ongoing Men's T20 World Cup has been very unique due to very different conditions on offer in Australia, feels India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

The months of October and November have been generally warm, but not hot in Australia as spring season begins. But this year, due to the La Nina weather effect, rain has intervened majorly while temperatures have been low, making many feel that winter in Australia has overstayed its welcome.

"It would be unfair to say it's different or it's anything because we've never come to Australia this time of the year. Generally, when it comes to the sport itself, conditions are king. So, you need to understand that this is what is being presented in front of you.

"I thought my entire sunscreen will be used. Unfortunately, no (laughing). It's hit me. I generally like cold weather. I've been to England and played a lot of cricket there, but this has been very unique and different.

"If you are playing a Test match, you can warm up through the day or get better, but playing T20 cricket in this weather, not to know what the surface will be like, how it will respond, what the weather is like, it's been a new experience coming to Australia. It's been a unique World Cup that way," said Ashwin in the pre-match press conference ahead of India's match against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

The weather conditions in Australia have meant that fast bowlers have called the shots, with batters forced to be cautious and play the calculative game after going past the initial phase. Spinners haven't consistently found much wickets, though New Zealand can claim for the otherwise. In all, Ashwin feels that spinners have to be adaptive as per the conditions offered in different venues.

"You can't make a concrete plan, go out there and say this is going to be my plan. Like, you have to adapt to the situation then and there. You see what's in front of you, what the score card is, what the required rate is, and then go about delivering the best ball that you can."

In the tournament, four fast bowlers have the best economy rates in the top five and are enjoying bowling in conditions where there's a mix of swing, seam and bounce. Pacers are rewarded handsomely for bowling length or back of the length deliveries.

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