VADODARA: India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin came face to face with ‘Ashwin from Gujarat’ on Tuesday. Baroda cricketer Mahesh Pithiya, who is popularly known as duplicate Ashwin, met his idol in Nagpur ahead of the first Test match between India and Australia.
“I was thrilled as Ashwin sir recognized me and also waved. I walked up to him and excitedly narrated how his bowling performances have helped me learn a lot. He was his usual calm and asked me a few questions about my bowling style and practice,” Mahesh told TOI over the phone from Nagpur.
The 21-year-old was hanging out at the stadium in Nagpur on Tuesday, hoping to meet Ashwin.
“Nathan Lyon learnt about it and took me to meet Ashwin,” he added. “Ashwin sir said he knows about me, said a few words of appreciation and asked me to keep practicing. I won’t forget this moment as I actually met someone I have been idolizing for years. Even Virat Kohli spotted me on the ground and waved affectionately,” Mahesh, who got Steve Smith out a few times in the nets, said.
When asked if there was any conversation on Australian batsmen’s weaknesses, Mahesh smiled and refused to comment. It was exactly a decade ago that Mahesh saw R Ashwin bowl against the West Indian team live on television.
