“Ashwin is hard to face. He’s a smart bowler with a lot of variations and he uses them really well, but you do get used to him once you’ve faced him for a while,” Renshaw told AAP. “I think the big challenge for Ashwin and any offspinner in spinning conditions for a southpaw is the lbw threat.
“Obviously everyone thinks of the one who turns and catches you slipping, but the big one is the lbw when he doesn’t turn. You just have to be ready.
“I think two years batting at number 5 has helped me face spin. I know my game a lot better now and I feel much more comfortable in different situations. We have a strong team and it will be difficult to my way in, but I know I’ll be ready if I get the chance.”
Still part of the Brisbane Heat’s BBL campaign, Renshaw is preparing for India by having the spinners on his team like Mitch Swepson, Matt Kuhnemann and even Marnus Labuschagne throw the SG ball at him which is being used in India Test Cricket.
“The SG ball is a bit different, so we try to prepare as best we can during this BBL schedule if we get a chance to hit reds,” said Renshaw. “It’s a lot of different conditions in India, so we try to replicate them as much as possible.
“The plan was like [the Heat] was knocked out, we would make some preparations with the [Australian] team in Sydney, but we just kept winning and are now in the final. We have a good week and a little bit in India for the first test, so there will be plenty of time to prepare there too.”
He did this on the basis of strong form in first-class cricket. Daughter Charlotte’s new dad has seen how close friend and teammate Khawaja feels about his cricket and has learned to enjoy the moment rather than worry about selections.
“I feel good with my cricket. I just roll with all the punches and enjoy myself,” said Renshaw.
