Ravichandran Ashwin Showcases New Bowling Technique in ETPL 2026

In a recent match at the European T20 Premier League 2026, Ravichandran Ashwin debuted a new bowling action while captaining the Durbin Guardians. Despite the team's fifth consecutive loss to the Amsterdam Flames, Ashwin's innovative technique has garnered significant attention on social media. Fans praised his continuous evolution as a bowler, reminiscing about his past battles with Steve Smith. This article delves into Ashwin's performance and the reactions from cricket enthusiasts.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 6, 2026, 18:18 IST

Durbin Guardians Face Defeat Against Amsterdam Flames

On Saturday, September 5, during the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 match at Sportpark Westvliet in The Hague, veteran Indian off-spinner and captain of the Durbin Guardians, Ravichandran Ashwin, introduced a new bowling action. Unfortunately, the Guardians suffered their fifth consecutive loss, narrowly falling to the Amsterdam Flames by nine runs. Despite a commendable innings from opener James Vince, who scored 73 runs off 46 balls, the Guardians could only manage 160 runs for 8 wickets while chasing a target of 170.

The Flames' bowlers played a crucial role in this victory, with Tim Pringle taking 3 wickets for 22 runs, Aryan Dutt claiming 2 for 28, and Richard Gleeson securing 2 for 38, effectively stalling the Guardians' chase.

Ashwin's Innovative Bowling Action Gains Attention

Despite the Guardians' struggles in the tournament, Ashwin's latest bowling technique has captured widespread attention. Known for his inventive spin bowling, including his signature carrom ball and arm ball, Ashwin has consistently sought new methods to outsmart batsmen. In the match against the Flames, he showcased a revamped delivery stride, which he demonstrated in a video shared by the ETPL on its social media platform.

In this clip, Ashwin can be seen adopting a modified bowling action, characterized by a shorter run-up and a unique side-on gathering motion, likely designed to generate additional bounce on the Dutch pitches.

Social Media Buzz Surrounding Ashwin's Experimentation

Ashwin's new bowling style has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Fans and cricket aficionados have lauded his innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of improvement. Many users have referred to him as a 'genius' for his continuous experimentation with spin bowling techniques.

Some fans expressed nostalgia over the match-up between Ashwin and Australian batter Steve Smith, reminiscing about their past encounters. Comments ranged from admiration for Ashwin's ongoing evolution as a bowler to playful remarks about his collection of bowling actions.

In the ongoing ETPL, Ashwin has had a mixed performance, taking 4 wickets at an average of 31.25 and an economy rate of 6.25 across five matches, while scoring only 24 runs in four innings.